MST Rebar Inc., a fiberglass rebar supplier, will invest more than $15.5 million to locate its first U.S. fiberglass rebar manufacturing facility in the town of Bladenboro. The company will create 83 new jobs in Bladen County.

The new positions include apprentice machinists and inspectors, as well as engineers. Although wages will vary, the average annual salary for the new positions will be $54,361, which exceeds the Bladen County average wage of $46,867. These new jobs could potentially create an annual payroll impact of more than $4.5 million for the region.

This public-private partnership between the State of North Carolina, Bladen County, the Town of

Bladenboro and Bladen’s Bloomin’ Agri-Industrial represents one of the most significant economic development projects in the county in decades. In addition to direct job creation, the project will stimulate industrial and commercial growth tied to Bladenboro’s downtown revitalization efforts, supporting long-term community redevelopment.

MST Rebar Inc. is a leading manufacturer of glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) reinforcement solutions, proudly advancing the durability, safety and sustainability of concrete infrastructure. MST Rebar Inc.’s flagship product, MST-BAR®, is a corrosion-resistant alternative to traditional steel rebar. It is lighter, safer to handle and easier to install without compromising performance. MST-BAR® has been used in major infrastructure projects across North America, including bridges, marine structures, industrial, residential and public facilities, demonstrating MST Rebar Inc.’s commitment to innovation and engineering excellence.

MST Rebar Inc. has chosen North Carolina as a key hub for growth because of the state’s strong

commitment to innovation in advanced materials and infrastructure. 

“Our journey from a small team of two employees to a thriving organization of over 200 in a very short period is a testament to our passion and to the growing demand for sustainable construction solutions. We see North Carolina, and specifically Bladen County, as a region with tremendous growth potential, offering the ideal environment for rapid expansion in the U.S. market,” shared David Richardson, president of MST Rebar Inc.

At MST Rebar Inc., sustainability is a priority. MST-BAR has a published Environmental Product Declaration (EPD), validating their commitment to transparency and environmental responsibility. Their GFRP bars have the lowest Global Warming Potential (A1–A3) by volume of material among all structural reinforcement options, making MST-BAR the greenest rebar on the market. By eliminating corrosion, reducing maintenance costs and extending the service life of structures, MST-BAR directly contributes to lower lifecycle emissions and a more sustainable built environment.

In addition to the North Carolina Department of Commerce and the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, other key partners in this project include the North Carolina General Assembly, North Carolina Department of Transportation, North Carolina Community College System, Bladen Community College, Golden LEAF Foundation, North Carolina’s Southeast, North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives, Four County EMC, Bladen County, Bladen’s Bloomin’ Agri-Industrial, Inc., Bladen County Economic Development Commission, the Town of Bladenboro and Boost the Boro.