Sister companies Risley Padula Construction Inc. and Coastal Millwork Supply Co. are settling into their new 68,000-square-foot facility in New Hanover County’s Blue Clay Business Park.

When they moved into the building at 4100 Logistics Road in mid-September, the companies became the first tenants in the county-owned business park. The firms supply and install interior doors, trim, stair parts and cabinets to single-family and multifamily residential builders throughout Southeastern North Carolina.

The companies, which currently employ around 100 people combined, invested more than $10 million in the facility. Steve Risley, the firm’s co-founder and co-owner, said the expanded facility improves efficiency and gives the company space to grow its operations and workforce.

“Moving into this new space gives us the opportunity to increase our capacity to serve a growing area. It allows us to bring in more equipment and jobs to fill areas we were missing in the millwork sector,” Risley said. (Coastal Millwork Supply Co.'s production space is pictured below at right.)

New Hanover County leaders, company officials and other local economic development stakeholders gathered on Wednesday at an event to mark the completion of the new facility.

“This is a significant day as we celebrate Blue Clay Business Park,” Scott Satterfield, CEO of Wilmington Business Development (WBD), told those in attendance. “In today’s economic landscape, it is imperative that we have quality product to distinguish our region versus our competition.”

Satterfield said ongoing activity on the site could be a “catalyst” for future industrial growth in the region and a “tool” for WBD to draw new businesses into the region. He also noted the property’s proximity to Cape Fear Community College’s North Campus, Wilmington International Airport and other major transportation networks.

The 120-acre Blue Clay Business Park is the first industrial park developed by New Hanover County. Coastal Millwork Supply Co. and Risley Padula Construction Inc. purchased 5.5 acres in the park in November 2023 for the new facility.

Risley Padula Construction Inc. and Coastal Millwork Supply Co. work with builders as far away as the Triangle and Charleston but focus on local projects, particularly in New Hanover, Brunswick, and Pender counties, according to a news release about the new facility.

In the release, Bob Padula, president of Risley Padula Construction and vice president of Coastal Millwork Supply, stated that most of the company’s employees live in New Hanover County. He added that he’s grateful to keep the business and investment in the area.

Approximately 65 acres remain available inside the business park for future development, Jennifer Rigby, New Hanover County’s chief strategy officer, told the Business Journal earlier this year. 

The project’s first phase involved the installation of water and sewer infrastructure and the construction of Triumph Road and Logistics Way – two roadways inside the park. Its second phase encompasses approximately 40 acres, with rail access at the back of the park, and will be developed based on market demand, according to Rigby.

New Hanover County is working with WBD to market and sell parcels in the park to prospective tenants.