Improving Business in the Wilmington Region

Coastal Millwork, Risley Padula Construction become first tenants at Blue Clay Business Park

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC – On Wednesday, November 19, New Hanover County’s Blue Clay Business Park officially welcomed its first occupants to the complex.

Coastal Millwork Supply Co. and its sister company, Risley Padula Construction Inc., held an open house at the companies’ newly finished 68,000-square-foot facility. These two homegrown firms supply and install interior doors, trim, stair parts, and cabinets to single- and multi-family residential builders throughout the region, particularly in Southeastern North Carolina.

“Creating the physical space to allow businesses an opportunity to grow was the focus when establishing our business parks here in New Hanover County and today is another example of that being the correct choice,” said Bill Rivenbark, Chair of the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners. “Coastal Millwork, a local company with a longstanding reputation, now has space to expand its operations at the Blue Clay Business Park, which will in turn create more employment opportunities for our community. We look forward to seeing Coastal Millwork thrive in this new space and we’re excited for more announcements like this in the years to come.”

As part of the project, Coastal Millwork and Risley Padula Construction Inc. invested more than $10 million in creating the facility. Since being founded 27 years ago, the two companies have seen significant growth, now employing more than 100 people with an opportunity to expand alongside the new facility.
The two firms work with builders as far away as the Triangle and Charleston but focus on local projects, particularly in New Hanover, Brunswick, and Pender counties.

“Blue Clay Business Park is central to all three counties,” co-owner and co-founder Steve Risley said. “We were eager to remain in New Hanover County and really liked the site at Blue Clay Business Park.”

Added Bob Padula, President of Risley Padula Construction and Vice President of Coastal Millwork Supply: “Most of our employees live in New Hanover County, and we’re grateful that this move allows us to keep the business, and our investment, in New Hanover County.”

Wilmington Business Development CEO Scott Satterfield said the companies’ expansion underscores the value of the county’s investment in the Blue Clay site. “Greater Wilmington continues to stand out as a destination where businesses can start, grow, and succeed, thanks in large part to the leadership of New Hanover County and its Commissioners,” Satterfield said. “Their commitment to developing ready-to-build industrial properties like Blue Clay Business Park gives established companies such as Coastal Millwork and Risley Padula Construction the room they need to expand while keeping investment and jobs right here in our community.”

New Hanover County is continuing to work with Wilmington Business Development to sell parcels in the 120-acre business park, allowing industrial partners to establish or expand their economic footprint in the community. Blue Clay’s proximity to I-40, I-140, nearby railways, the Port of Wilmington, and the Wilmington International Airport allows for convenient transportation options, along with a strong workforce and ready-to-build sites with installed infrastructure.

For more information on the opportunities at Blue Clay Business Park, visit wilmingtonbusinessdevelopment.com.