Barge Acquires Florida-Based Environmental Consulting & Design, Inc.

Barge is excited to announce the acquisition of Environmental Consulting & Design, Inc. (EC&D), a respected Florida-based consulting firm specializing in environmental permitting, land planning, mitigation banking, land management, and geospatial services. This acquisition deepens Barge’s environmental capabilities, allowing the company to deliver comprehensive engineering solutions and expand its presence in Florida.

Founded in 1994, EC&D offers a range of environmental and ecology services, from site selection through permitting, construction, and compliance. Its efforts have helped preserve thousands of acres of land, promoting biodiversity across the state of Florida. EC&D shares Barge’s culture-first philosophy that prioritizes collaboration, responsibility, and innovation, aligning with our commitment to smart environmental design.

“We have a big strategic vision for Barge, and ecology services are becoming more integral in every aspect of what we do and working toward that vision,” said Bob Higgins, president and CEO of Barge. “The state of Florida has been recognized as a national leader in enhancing and protecting its natural resources. EC&D is a highly respected firm in the state providing those services. Our coming together is significant in that it will allow their influence to expand over Barge’s entire footprint and improve upon our ability as a team to strengthen our ecology and environmental position across the Southeast.” 

EC&D, a woman-owned firm, will change its name to Barge Design Solutions and retain all existing employees. With headquarters in Gainesville and projects encompassing more than 25,000 acres across the state, this acquisition further solidifies Barge’s strategic presence in Florida. 

“Our team was first drawn to Barge because of our shared cultures that prioritize collaboration, responsibility, and innovation,” said Sarah Nelson, owner and vice president of EC&D. “By joining forces with Barge’s talented team, we are able to take our work to another level, helping more organizations, preserving more land, and broadening our overall impact in Florida and beyond.” 

Barge has seen consistent growth through organic expansion and acquisitions, securing its presence in the Southeastern United States and diversifying across sectors like healthcare, transportation, and energy, alongside its environmental focus. Central to Barge's success is its culture, emphasizing employee experience, client satisfaction, collaboration, and innovation. This culture consistently attracts top talent driven by curiosity and passion, fostering lasting relationships with clients who trust Barge when it matters most in critical moments. 

With offices in Miramar Beach and Panama City, the EC&D Gainesville location will be Barge’s third office in Florida.

Join Our Team! As Barge continues to grow and expand, visit careers.bargedesign.com to view our job openings and learn how you can be a part of our exciting future. The company is 100% employee-owned and was recertified this year as a great place to work for the sixth time.