May 21, 2004

Contact: Keith Taylor,   Economic Development Director,   James City County
(757) 253-6607 or                                            

Deborah Nice, Vice President,David A. Nice Builders, Inc.
(757) 566-3032

David A. Nice Builders, Inc., the James City County Board of Supervisors, and its Economic Development Authority are pleased to announce the expansion of Nicewood Enterprises, Inc., a division of David A. Nice Builders, Inc. The company plans to invest $2.4 million in acquiring, improving, and equipping an existing 40,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Stonehouse Commerce Park in the Stonehouse District of the County. The acquisition will more than double Nicewood’s present operations and allow it to increase its workforce by 50%.  Nicewood hopes to begin operations in its new facility in late summer.

David A. Nice Builders, Inc., is a general construction firm founded in James City County in 1976. Its Nicewood division was founded in 1997 and specializes in custom wood fixtures and casework for the retail industry both locally and nationwide. Key customers include Nautica, Etienne Aigner, LeGourmet Chef, Tommy Hilfiger, Eddie Bauer, and Tourneau.

Deborah Nice, Vice President of the company, noted that the expansion will allow the company to do several things. “This acquisition gives us many opportunities to better meet and serve the demands of our national clients, while also improving our ability to retain the excellent employees we have now and recruit new ones. While our client base is nationwide, we remain a local company at heart, so we are pleased about how this expansion will benefit our employees and our community.”

Andy Bradshaw, Stonehouse District Supervisor, remarked that he was delighted to see a well-established local company expanding. “Nicewood manufactures a high quality product here that reflects well on the community as their crews do installations at retail locations around the country.”

Skip Campana , Chairman of the Economic Development Authority, commented that local expansions are typically the first sign of an improving economy. He noted, “Local companies are quite often very entrepreneurial and small enough to act quickly in response to changing markets. It is always a pleasure to see them expand, but even more so it is evidence that the general economy is strengthening.”

Sandy Wanner , County Administrator , added his congratulations. “The parent company, David A. Nice Builders, Inc., is well known for its local construction work, but many people are unaware of what the Nicewood division of the company does. This is an excellent example of a local company finding a niche in the national market, based on what it was already doing well locally. I am pleased for them.”