NEBO, N.C. – Taylor Stave, a North Carolina-based maker of planks and other components for wood barrels used to age wine or whiskey, will invest $395,000 at its facility. The investment will create 28 jobs over the next three years.

The company plans to hire production operators and other technical staff with an annual payroll of $872,000. A performance based $84,000 grant from the One North Carolina fund will assist in the expansion.

Rick Taylor, owner of Taylor Stave, says that the company’s expertise with American White Oak, a wood species valued by wine and spirits producers, has increased demand for his products.

Taylor said that the company’s products are in demand in over 80 countries around the world. He says the expansion will help meet the growing demand, along with enabling Taylor Stave to purchase white oak logs locally.