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By Jeanna Baxter White

Word Master Media Group

“If you can dream it, we can build it,” says Bobby Eaton, owner of Liberty Storage Solutions, which designs and manufactures everything from simple storage buildings to elaborate man-caves and chic she-sheds at its headquarters/manufacturing facility here.   

Over the past 15 years, that philosophy has propelled the company from a side enterprise to provide Eaton’s family and construction crew income during the winter and rainy periods into one of the premier builders of portable sheds and outdoor buildings in the Carolinas.

The pandemic further accelerated the company’s growth as families forced to stay at home for work, school, and recreation sought additional space.

Now Liberty Storage Solutions, which started in a 40×40 barn in Rowan County, has outgrown its 40,000-square-foot manufacturing facility at 163 Industrial Blvd. in Mocksville and has purchased 33 acres nearby to expand.

The company will invest $8 million in the expansion and expects to create 50 new jobs over the next three years with average annual wages of $47,500 plus benefits compared to the county average of $39,000.

Beginning with an office building and an additional 50,000 – 80,000 square foot manufacturing space, the company plans to build out the new site in phases over the next five years including creating two more companies.

“We are extremely blessed and excited to be able to have the opportunity granted to us to expand our manufacturing capacity in Mocksville,” said Eaton. “I am very grateful for all of the collaboration that has taken place and there are far too many people to mention here. We also appreciate Mocksville and Davie County and the support that the community at large has blessed us with.

“Our pledge is to continue to generate higher-paying jobs and to continue to be the leader of our industry.”

Since the property is undeveloped, Terry Bralley, president of the Davie County Economic Development Commission (DCEDC) worked with Tracy Dellinger, Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, to locate grants to fund infrastructure development.

The project will receive around $1.1 million in state and local grant funding for sewer and road construction; a $250,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) from the N.C. Rural Infrastructure Authority, $250,000 from the Golden LEAF Foundation, $175,000 from the NC Department of Transportation (DOT),  and $70,000 in local incentives from DCEDC and the Town of Mocksville.

Additionally, the project has received $350,000 from the N.C. Railroad (NCRR) to support a rail spur to the site, allowing Liberty to efficiently and cost-effectively transport raw materials like lumber and metal to the facility.

Bralley pointed out that a majority of a community’s economic growth comes from its existing industry.

“These grants are a wonderful investment because they not only support one of our great industrial partners, Liberty Storage Solutions, but this infrastructure construction will also open up additional industrial land for development. I am grateful to Tracy Dellinger for her assistance in obtaining the grant funds that are making this project possible.”

Shell Berry, director of operations, believes it’s the company’s use of top-of-the-line materials and expert craftsmanship that truly sets it apart.

“There are a lot of sheds out there but one of the things that set us apart is the quality of the materials we use. We don’t skimp on materials. As the price of building materials has gone up, some companies have switched to cheaper options. Our suppliers have offered alternatives but we’ve chosen to maintain our same quality and have absorbed much of the additional cost.”

He pointed out that while many companies build sheds in an assembly line fashion, a Liberty craftsman builds each building from the floor up.

“We feel there is more continuity, there’s more pride in the workmanship and that builder is accountable for that workmanship,” said Berry, adding that the builders take pride in their work and love it when they get to see pictures of their buildings onsite with their happy new owners.

The sheds constructed at the facility range in size from 8×8 to 14×40 and include utility sheds, lofted barns, and premier buildings with higher walls and a higher-pitched roof. (Larger sheds are built onsite).

The buildings come with lap, painted, stained, or vinyl siding. Each is fully customizable. Customers can go online and choose their color scheme, the placement of the doors and windows, and the style of the porch and see a good rendition before they buy. Other add-ons are available. The average price is $5,800-$6,500.

“A common theme I hear from our dealers is how impressed their customers are when they walk into one of our sheds. When you walk onto a Liberty lot you’ll see the difference.”

For more information visit https://www.libertystoragesolutions.com.