A Canadian manufacturer, MST Rebar is betting big on Bladen County and it’s industrial future. The Toronto-based construction materials company, announced a $15.5 million investment to build its first U.S. fiberglass rebar manufacturing plant in Bladenboro. This expansion will create 83 full-time jobs and strengthen the region’s role in advanced materials production.
The new facility will occupy 56,000 square feet and produce up to 75 miles of fiberglass rebar daily. Beyond sheer production volume, the move signals confidence in North Carolina’s manufacturing talent and infrastructure network. Governor Josh Stein said the decision underscores why the state has become a magnet for global manufacturers: a skilled workforce, lower operating costs, and direct access to the growing U.S. transportation and construction markets.
For Bladen County, where the average wage sits below the state median, the MST Rebar plant’s average salary of $54,361 represents a significant economic lift. The 83 positions—ranging from apprentice machinists and inspectors to engineers—are expected to add roughly $4.5 million in annual payroll to the region. MST will partner with Bladen Community College and the North Carolina Community College System to train local workers for advanced composites manufacturing.
Founded in 2012, MST Rebar is known for its patented fiberglass composite rebar, marketed as MST-BAR. The material is lighter, stronger, and more corrosion-resistant than steel, allowing for longer-lasting concrete structures and lower shipping weights. Company president David Richardson said those advantages align perfectly with U.S. infrastructure goals to extend the lifespans of bridges and highways while reducing carbon emissions.
Strategically, the Bladenboro site positions MST Rebar near major construction markets and ports, reducing shipping times and costs for U.S. clients. It also gives the company a foothold in the Southeast, where federal and state infrastructure investments are driving record demand for sustainable materials. “Our fiberglass rebar offers performance and environmental benefits the market is asking for,” Richardson said. “Bladen County gives us the workforce and location to meet that demand.”
The project received a $250,000 performance-based grant from the One North Carolina Fund to help offset start-up costs. MST will join a growing cluster of advanced manufacturers in the region, adding momentum to Bladen County’s effort to diversify its industrial base beyond agriculture and traditional manufacturing.
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