Shed Windows and More Inc., a window and building materials manufacturer and distributor, announced plans to expand operations in Horry County.

The company’s $4.2 million investment will create 42 jobs over the next five years.

Founded in 2001, Shed Windows and More, Inc. manufactures and distributes a wide variety of building materials including windows, doors, hinges, shutters, skylights, hardware and more.

With a commitment to offering competitive prices, the company serves both do-it-yourself builders and contractors around the world.

Located at 2342 Chestnut Road in Longs, Shed Windows and More, Inc.’s expansion will include the construction of a new 50,000-square-foot facility which will allow the company to manufacture double-pane vinyl windows in-house — increasing its business and workflow.

“Our company has been around for more than 20 years and part of Horry County since 2013,” said Shed Windows and More Inc. Vice President Thomas Slack.

“We value our employees, our customers and the community. Shed Windows and More, Inc. is excited to expand our operations to meet the growth of our customers all over the United States. Thank you to everyone who has shared a part in our expansion, and we look forward to more great opportunities in the future.”

The expansion is expected to be complete in 2023.

On Tuesday, Duke Energy closed out a monthlong initiative to support organizations that address food insecurities and inequities across South Carolina with nearly $170,000 in surprise microgrants to community organizations across the state.

Duke Energy's initiative provided over $325,000 to more than 40 feeding programs leading up to the Thanksgiving holiday and Giving Tuesday.

“If you grew up in South Carolina, you likely know that a surcee is a small, unexpected gift,” said Mike Callahan, Duke Energy’s South Carolina president.

“What better way to head into the holiday season than giving a little something to these great organizations who work so hard throughout the year to help keep our friends and neighbors from going hungry.”

The microgrants were unannounced and not solicited by the receiving organizations. These “surcee” grants recognize the important gaps these typically smaller agencies fill in the neighborhoods they serve.

“With the donation from Duke Energy, Hub City Farmers Market will continue to work on closing the food equity gap in Spartanburg Count by offering Double SNAP incentives at our Saturday Market,” said Dori Burgess, executive director of Hub City Farmers Market.

“Researchers have shown that SNAP reduces poverty and food insecurity, and these impacts lead to improved health and economic outcomes, especially among children who receive SNAP. As Spartanburg’s only provider of the Double SNAP incentive, we are committed to turning $1 into $2 for residents in the area.”

Throughout November, Duke Energy highlighted critical community partners that do this incredible work to fight hunger, including Harvest Hope Food Bank, United Way Association of South Carolina, and AIM, among others.

Duke Energy employees and retirees also provide their time and talents volunteering with these and other organizations throughout the month to assist in packing and distributing food boxes, as well as providing sweat equity to other feeding programs in their neighborhoods.

CIT, a division of First Citizens Bank, recently announced that its Power and Energy business served as lead arranger on $419 million in financing for acquisition of the Broad River power generation facility in Gaffney, South Carolina.

Onward Energy Inc. is acquiring the five-unit, 860-megawatt simple-cycle peaking power plant, which is fully contracted under a long-term power purchase tolling agreement with Duke Energy Progress Inc. The financing package included a term loan, letters of credit and a working capital facility.

“The Broad River power facility is a vital component of the region’s energy infrastructure, especially in supporting reliability when energy demands are at their strongest,” said Steve Doyon, CEO of Onward Energy.

“This acquisition is consistent with our focus on reliability to support further decarbonization in the energy transition, and we appreciated CIT’s agility and expertise in working through the financing for this important transaction.”

“CIT is well-acquainted with the operation and value of the Broad River facility,” said Mike Lorusso, managing director and group head for CIT’s Power and Energy business.

“We were pleased by the opportunity to arrange this latest financing for the power plant and look forward to working with Onward Energy in the future.”

The LEAP Coalition announced a new partnership with the Center for Heirs’ Property Preservation (CHPP), further strengthening its commitment to eliminate heirs’ property barriers and advance the lives and livelihoods of Black farmers.

The LEAP Coalition – established in part by John Deere, the National Black Growers Council (NBGC), and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) – advocates for the preservation of heirs’ property in rural communities.

By joining forces with the Center for Heir's Property Preservation, the LEAP Coalition expands its capacity to address heirs’ property rights and raise awareness about this critical issue.

“Heirs’ property remains a major hurdle, precluding access to vital resources needed by our country’s Black farmers and landowners. The unique legal and financial pathway to clear title is often overwhelmingly difficult to navigate alone,” said Marc Howze, senior adviser, Office of the Chairman, Deere and Company.

“The Center for Heirs’ Property Preservation has been instrumental in clearing ownership titles for many South Carolina families and we welcome the Center as a LEAP partner. This partnership underscores our commitment to ensuring Black farmers and underserved landowners have access to the vital resources they need to protect and preserve their property for future generations. We look forward to reaching more communities across the nation.”

The Center for Heirs’ Property Preservation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works with underserved families in South Carolina to protect heirs’ property and to promote the sustainable use of land providing increased economic benefit to historically underserved landowners.

The Center provides legal education and direct legal services, helping families reach agreement or clear title to family land and probate estates. Through its legal counsel and educational resources, the Center unlocks opportunities for sustainable land use, helping families to keep their land, realize its economic value, and build generational wealth.

As part of this partnership, John Deere has made a further investment to expand the Center’s resources and broaden its reach to help families and landowners gain clear title to their land.