‘Work Here, Live Here’ encourages workers to plant a home address in Mississippi County

Mississippi County is now reportedly the top steel producing county in the United States. Thousands of workers pour into steel mills owned by Nucor and Big River Steel (BRS) and another $3 billion mill is set to open on the BRS campus.

The jobs in the mills are high-paying, with workers routinely making six figures. The jobs are so high-paying, however, that workers can afford to live many hours away from the mills and trek there to work, according to local officials.

Workers in the plants come from as far away as Atlanta, Nashville, Tulsa, Little Rock and other places. Many work four, 12-hour shifts, then return home to their families for the next four days. They rent apartments with others, lease houses, or stay in local trailer and RV parks.

Mississippi County civic and business leaders launched a “Work Here, Live Here” plan to lure those workers into living in the county. The program pays for 10% of any new home bought in the county by any worker in the manufacturing sector. The home has to be in the $200,000 to $500,000 range, County Judge Alan Nelson told Talk Business & Politics.

To qualify for the program, a worker must obtain a construction loan from a local bank. Once the house is built, a second mortgage with the 10% will be created. If the worker remains employed in the county for at least four years, the county will pay off that second mortgage.

Local industries have invested $3.12 million to fund the program. Nelson said he was skeptical about how popular the program would be with workers. After floating the idea in public, several bankers talked with Nelson about interest in it.

“Nearly 60% of participants are first-time homeowners, and homeownership creates stability, reduces turnover, and strengthens our neighborhoods. This program is not just about housing, it’s about fostering community. The economic ripple effects of this program are undeniable. When people own homes, they invest in their jobs, their schools, and their neighborhoods. That helps build a brighter future for everyone in Mississippi County,” Nelson said.

To date, 118 homes have been built through the program and it represents a $3.12 million investment from the participating companies which has resulted in $29.8 million in new homes, said Farmers Bank & Trust President and CEO Randy Scott. About 15 companies are partners in the program developed by the

Participants can choose their own builder and own home, he said. There are several spec homes being built around the county, and there are other participants who are choosing to build their own custom homes. The program also allows the participant to buy existing homes with a 5% incentive as opposed to the 10% construction incentive. There is an inventory of new homes available, he said.

Several of the new homeowners moved to the county from Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Missouri, Illinois, and Michigan. Since the YouTube video dropped in mid-December, there has been interest from Illinois, North Carolina and North Dakota, Scott said.

Sustained community collaboration is a key element for the program to succeed, said Clif Chitwood, president for economic development in Mississippi County.

“Balancing industrial expansion with the housing needs of our workforce requires ongoing innovation and investment, and we’re proud of the progress we’ve made so far, and we will continue to think through how it can be a success for our employers. Overall, the ‘Work Here, Live Here’ program serves as a model for community-driven economic development, leveraging industry partnerships and investment to enhance local growth,” he said.  

Mississippi County’s steel industry continues to boom and there is no sector slowdown in sight. Chitwood said this housing program has been a vital tool in retaining and growing the county’s population and ultimately keeping high earning workers in the region.

“The ‘Work Here, Live Here’ program in Mississippi County has demonstrated significant economic impact and community engagement since its inception. Homeownership has long been a cornerstone of the American dream — a symbol of stability, financial security, and a foundation for building a brighter future for families and communities,” Chitwood said. “Incentive programs like ‘Work Here, Live Here’ are game-changers, removing barriers to homeownership and creating life-changing opportunities for families. We’ve seen as many housing starts this year as we saw in the previous 25 to 30 years combined, a sure sign of community growth. This initiative has not only bolstered the local housing market but also stimulated related sectors, enhancing the overall economic vitality of Mississippi County.”