Bladen County is set to see a new industrial revival, with MST Rebar Inc. announcing a substantial investment of over $15 million to establish its first U.S. fiberglass rebar manufacturing facility in the town of Bladenboro. This move was announced today by Governor Josh Stein, citing the creation of 83 new jobs for the region, and highlighting North Carolina's status as a prime location for advanced manufacturing.
"North Carolina has the largest and most talented advanced manufacturing workforce in the Southeast – and it’s a great place to live," Governor Stein said. A performance-based grant from the One North Carolina Fund, amounting to $250,000, is set, to assist MST Rebar in laying down its roots in North Carolina, contingent upon meeting job creation and capital investment targets, according to a statement on the governor's official website.
Headquartered in Toronto, MST Rebar, Inc. brings a first-of-its-kind fiberglass composite material designed for industrial construction to the market. The material, praised for its sustainability and performance advantages over traditional rebar, will be manufactured in a 56,000-square-foot facility capable of producing upwards of 75 miles of the reinforcement product daily. David Richardson, President of MST Rebar, remarked on the product’s innovation, "It’s corrosion resistant, stronger than steel, lasts longer than the concrete it is reinforcing quarter the weight of steel, which offers less workplace injuries, and allows for shipping four times as much per truckload," as mentioned on the North Carolina Office of the Governor website.
Hiring for the new positions within this facility, which include roles such as apprentice machinists and inspectors, alongside engineers, is expected to have a significant economic impact. The average annual salary for these roles is projected at $54,361, above Bladen County's average wage of $46,867, potentially adding more than $4.5 million in annual payroll to the local economy.
The selection of Bladen County as the site for this facility signifies confidence in the local workforce and business climate. Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley expressed optimism regarding MST Rebar's decision, stating, "In a dynamic economy, global manufacturers want to operate in places where they know they can succeed." Elected officials also voiced their enthusiasm. "This is outstanding news for Bladen County, and the entire state of North Carolina," Senator Brent Jackson shared as per the North Carolina Office of the Governor. Representative William D. Brisson communicated a warm welcome, anticipating a "long-term partnership that supports our shared vision and growth."
Support for MST Rebar’s new facility from local governments and several state entities, including the North Carolina Department of Commerce, the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, and Bladen Community College among others, affirms a widespread endorsement of the investment's potential to bolster the region's job market and economic stability.
