PENNINGTON GAP, VA – APRIL 20, 2026 — Basic and customized sheds, chicken coups, dog kennels and more are what Southern Sheds & Structures, LLC, produces. Built on-site, the sheds are then transported to their final destinations based on customer locations.
Southern Sheds & Structures, LLC is a recent recipient of a $10,000 Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) Seed Capital Matching Grant. Seed capital grants are funded from regional funds received by VCEDA which are paid by the natural gas industry.
“Southern Sheds & Structures, LLC, is a portable building and shed manufacturing business that has plans to service the broader Southwest Virginia region,” said Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA executive director/general counsel. “The business projected one full-time employee and six part-time employees within five years in their application, but has already exceeded that projection and has currently reported five full-time employees.”
“We can pretty much build anything,” said business owner, Austin Herron, adding that while the Southern Sheds builds happen at the business now located at 43550 Veterans Memorial Highway in Pennington Gap, VA, they can be loaded up and transported to the purchaser’s location.
“We even built a mini-church which we delivered to Clintwood,” he said.
Southern Sheds originally opened its doors in Wise, VA, before moving to Pennington Gap as the business grew. Customers include both commercial and residential. Local suppliers are used for materials whenever possible.
Herron has eight years of experience in construction and delivery, having worked for others as a builder and a premier mover.
“The market for portable buildings, sheds, garages and storage facilities meets a broad range of customers and the business plans to strategically market to each target market,” Herron said, adding that customization options are available from vinyl siding to solar efficiencies.
“We strive to offer our portable buildings and structures at a fair and reasonable price while creating opportunities for future generations to grow within the business,” Herron continued. “Our mission is to build a legacy business rooted in faith, integrity and craftmanship – one that provides high-quality, locally made products created by local hands.”
As the business continues to grow, Herron said he wants to add sales lots in other locations in the region.
“My goal is to have five sales lots by the end of the year,” Herron said.
Southern Sheds used the VCEDA funds to purchase materials, allowing the business to continue building projects while waiting on sales of products already completed to be finalized.
“It has helped us out a lot,” Herron said of the seed capital funding. “We’re a new business and getting the buildings built is how it’s helped. Having those funds made it so we could build 10-15 buildings and get those sold. It has helped us to get ahead. I am very thankful for it.”
Herron worked with the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Mountain Empire Community College (MECC) in developing the Southern Sheds & Structures application to VCEDA.
“It has been a pleasure working with Southern Sheds & Structures in Coeburn during the VCEDA Seed Capital process,” said MECC SBDC Director Becki O’Quinn-Purdie. “This is a business that continues to grow because it listens to customers and provides a more customized experience — offering building, purchase options, financing and delivery all in one place. The owner is a hardworking young entrepreneur who is deeply community-minded and we’re proud to support his continued success. The SBDC enjoys helping businesses start and grow in local communities, building local economies one business at a time.”
For more information about Southern Sheds & Structures, interested persons may call 276-275-0708; or find them on Facebook.
About Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority and Southwest Virginia’s e-Region: The Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority, created by the Virginia General Assembly in 1988 to enhance and diversify the region’s economy and help create jobs, markets Southwest Virginia’s e-Region and its focus on electronic information technology, energy, education, emerging technologies, and entrepreneurship. VCEDA is a unique economic development organization that manages funds for economic development projects from a percentage of the coal and natural gas severance taxes paid by coal and natural gas companies that operate in the region. Located in southwestern Virginia, the region includes Buchanan, Dickenson, Lee, Russell, Scott, Tazewell, and Wise counties and the City of Norton. www.vceda.us or www.e-Region.org.
About the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority Seed Capital Matching Grant Fund: VCEDA region for-profit businesses, within qualifying business categories, one year and under with less than 10 full-time employees are eligible to apply for dollar-for-dollar matching grants up to $10,000 from the VCEDA Seed Capital Matching Fund. Applicants work with the Small Business Development Centers at Mountain Empire and Southwest Virginia community colleges to prepare the applications to VCEDA that include detailed business and financial plans. Businesses must be located in or plan to operate in the VCEDA region in southwestern Virginia that includes Buchanan, Dickenson, Lee, Russell, Scott, Tazewell, and Wise counties and the City of Norton.