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By Jeanna Baxter White

Word Master Media Group

Liberty Sheds (formerly Liberty Storage Solutions), which designs and manufactures everything from storage buildings to elaborate buildings their customers turn into man-caves, chic she-sheds, and tiny houses, celebrated the first phase of its expansion with a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its office building at 205 Liberty Lifestyle Drive on March 17.

From its beginnings in a 40 X 40 barn in Rowan County, the company outgrew its 40,000-square-foot manufacturing facility at 163 Industrial Boulevard in Mocksville and purchased 55 acres nearby to add additional office and manufacturing space.

Last May, Liberty Sheds broke ground on an 85,000 SF shed manufacturing facility that will be one of the largest in the Southeast when completed around the end of the year. The company plans to build out the entire site in phases 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.

Find career opportunities at libertysheds.itnhire.com/jobs/ and at Liberty Sheds on LinkedIn.

“It is a blessing and a joy to work with all of you, from the economic development team to the mayor, to the commissioners, and all of the people who helped us realize this dream. Thank you from the bottom of my heart,” company founder Bobby Eaton told representatives from local government and the business community.

“It has been a journey. We started in Rowan, moved to Iredell, and then the Lord led us here, and we are so glad to be here.”

Eaton shared his and his family’s vision when they started the company in 2006.

“We wanted our company to represent some of the core values we live by. We are faith-based and want to bring value to this community, to the people who work here, to our vendors, and to all of the people that we interact with. . . Our No. 1 core value here is God matters. Our No. 2 core value is people matter. That is why we’ve tried to raise the bar in how we treat people and the compensation packages we put together to bring in people. I am very thankful to God and our team. We have a fantastic team, and the growth we’ve experienced has been amazing. Right around the corner was our third stop with this business. We outgrew it and moved to Vanceboro and built two plants there. We have 38 acres out there we are planning to develop.

“Here we have 55 acres and a long-term, aggressive strategy to develop this property and bring many quality jobs to Davie County. We feel like we are the leader in the industry. I don’t say that in a boastful or prideful way, but that is who I felt God wanted us to be when we founded this company. We offer the very best product, with the very best customer service, at the very best price. It reflects in where we’ve gotten to and where we are going.”

Eaton introduced the company’s new president, Weston Leibee. “One of the visions I had when starting this company was the next generation, and so I have officially stepped back and handed the sword over to Weston Leibee, who has taken my place and really elevated things, including rebranding the company to Liberty Sheds.”

Referencing his 25-year relationship with Eaton, Leibee said: “We share a common value and a passion for people, which is what anchors this company to what it is today. I lead the 44 full-time employees the company employs today, as well as the over 50 contractors and partners we work with. One of the exciting journeys we are on during this construction phase is converting contractors into employees so that we can provide more permanent employment solutions for them. We are happy to add stable jobs in Davie County and beyond.”

Leibee said the company is commited to reinvesting profits back into the community through partnerships with non-profit organizations.

“Bobby and I committed to investing 10% of our profits back into non-profits. We like to say that sheds are just a cover for doing what we like: investing in people. We are humbled to work with seven non-profits right here in Davie County, as well as dozens across North Carolina and beyond.”

Employees are invited to identify giving partners and become Liberty’s ambassador with that organization to connect people with people and people with needs in the community. “This is a huge part of our culture, who we are, what we do, and what Liberty is all about,” said Leibee.

To end the ceremony, Karlyn Armsworthy, customer success manager, presented a $1,000 check to Amanda Bullard, president of Serving Our Neighbors, which is dedicated to decreasing food insecurity in Davie County.

County Commissioner Mark Jones and Mocksville Town Board Member Carl Lambert thanked Liberty Sheds for their continued presence in the community. “We are honored that you are here,” said Jones. “Thank you for creating jobs and adding to the tax base for the citizens of Davie County. We want to wish you nothing but the best for your future, for your employees, and for the interaction you will have with Davie County. We know that based on your character and integrity, you are going to be a tremendous community citizen. Thank you for being here and choosing us.”