Silver Springs attracts its first major manufacturer

Builders Choice Inc., a maker of wooden trusses used in the construction trade,will break ground for a production plant in Silver Springs early this summer, says Phil Overholtzer, president.

"We're expanding to serve the greater northern Nevada area," says Overholtzer,who personally located the 50-acre parcel adjacent to the Silver Springs airport."I think growth is headed that way.

If you look at a map, you'll see that all roads lead to Silver Springs."

The three-building complex will include a 145,000-square-foot production facility, a 6,000-square-foot office unit and a 7,200- square-foot truck maintenance repair shop.

The company is in negotiations with Miles Brothers Construction to build the structure designed by architect Moore Design Services of California.

Silver Springs will be the second location of Builders Choice, based in Hughson, Calif., near Modesto.

The company employs 180 in California and will add another 180 employees in Silver Springs within the next three years, says Overholtzer.

Hiring will begin when construction begins.

Overholtzer and his wife, Linda, will relocate to the home they purchased in Dayton when the Silver Springs plant begins production in September.

Founded in 1986, Builders Choice did $24 million in sales last year, enough custom-engineered trusses for 4,000 homes.

Clients include Toll Bros., Centex, and KB Homes.

Prefab walls will be added as a second product line.

"This is the first major large employer for Silver Springs," said Kay Bennett, vice president of the Silver Springs Chamber of Commerce."We are thrilled."