J.B. Hunt Transport to sponsor a local home build

J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc. announced it has joined the Habitat for Humanity’s Adopt A Home program and will be supporting construction of a new home in Benton County early next year.

“J.B. Hunt has for many years been a great supporter of Habitat, with many people and teams participating in our home builds and fundraisers,” said Debby Wieneke, executive director, Habitat for Humanity of Benton County.

She said the local transport and logistics firm embodies the spirit of giving and community support and Habitat is blessed to have them adopt a home in the coming months.

This fiscal year which ends June 30, the local chapter expects to complete 5 homes in Benton County. Wieneke said Hunt’s sponsorship is for home No. 3 and the organization is still seeking sponsors for the other two builds.

“J.B. Hunt understands the needs of the communities where we live and work,” said John Roberts, CEO, of J.B. Hunt Transport. “The opportunity to support Habitat’s mission and work alongside our neighbors to construct homes for local families shows us firsthand the impact Habitat makes on people’s lives every day.”

A home sponsorship is roughly a $75,000 financial commitment as that money will be used to acquire the land and materials for the build, Wieneke said.

“With land costs rising in Benton County, we try very hard to get the infill lots donated, otherwise the land takes a $45,000 to $48,000 bite out of our $75,000 budget,” she said.

When the construction is completed, she said the new homeowner will secure a mortgage for the $75,000 which is repaid at 0% interest over a 25-year period.

“Because the labor is donated, most of these homes appraise for $100,000 or more upon completion,” Wieneke said.