Windstream Communications has announced that the company will be buying Greenville, South Carolina CLEC NuVox Communications (see our user reviews) for a cool $643 million. Like most CLECs, NuVox has found its niche primarily as a small business operator, offering service to approximately 90,000 business customers. According to a Windstream statement, NuVox has about 1,700 employees, and services 48 locations in 16 contiguous Southeastern and Midwestern states. Though Windstream recently announced layoffs, they're apparently eager for expansion all the same -- and are also rumored to be at least somewhat interested in whether they could pick up bankrupt operator Fairpoint's network on the cheap.