Big River Steel, Atlas Tube invest $800K in Arkansas housing program
MISSISSIPPI COUNTY, Ark. — Two of Mississippi County's largest industrial employers are doubling down on their commitment to local workforce housing.
Big River Steel (BRS) and Atlas Tube have announced renewed investments totaling more than $800,000 in the county's 'Work Here. Live Here.' (WHLH) housing incentive program.
BRS is contributing an additional $500,000, while Atlas Tube has pledged $300,000. The funding is expected to extend the life of a program that's already helped over 150 families purchase homes in the area.
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Launched in 2023, WHLH offers financial incentives for employees of participating companies to purchase homes in Mississippi County, up to $50,000 toward new home construction or $25,000 for existing homes. To date, the initiative has generated $37.4 million in housing value and construction, helping transform the county's residential landscape.
BRS, the program's first private sector partner, initially invested $3 million, supporting 107 home purchases, 63% of them by first-time buyers. The average participant age was just 29.
Atlas Tube, a division of Zekelman Industries, followed with a $367,000 initial investment that helped fund 18 home purchases. The company's impact also skewed toward first-time buyers, who made up 67% of its participants, with an average homeowner age of 38.
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County Judge John Alan Nelson credited the private sector for driving the program's success.
'This program works because companies like Big River Steel and Atlas Tube understand the value of investing in people,' Nelson said. 'When our workforce lives here, learns here, and grows here, the entire county benefits.'
The additional funding from BRS and Atlas Tube is expected to keep the momentum going, offering more employees the chance to become homeowners and community stakeholders in Mississippi County.
For more information about the WHLH program, visit workhereliveherear.com.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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