Willdan Group, Inc. announced on January 2, 2026 that it has closed its acquisition of Compass Municipal Advisors, LLC, a municipal advisory firm headquartered in Columbia, South Carolina. The deal was executed through Willdan’s subsidiary, Willdan Financial Services, and the purchase price was not disclosed.
Compass brings a portfolio of public‑finance clients and expertise in debt structuring, capital‑project advisory, and financial planning for state and local governments. By adding Compass’s advisory capabilities, Willdan expands its geographic footprint into the southeastern United States and strengthens its ability to serve utilities, government agencies and private industry with a more comprehensive suite of municipal and public‑finance services.
Willdan’s recent financial performance underscores the strategic fit of the acquisition. In Q3 2025, the company reported net revenue of $95.0 million, up 25.5% year‑over‑year, and net income of $13.7 million, an 86.8% increase. Adjusted earnings per share rose to $1.21, up 65.8% from the prior year, driven by disciplined cost management and a favorable mix of high‑margin projects in its energy‑efficiency and infrastructure segments.
CEO Mike Bieber said the acquisition "strengthens our position in the public‑finance market and expands our geographic reach," adding that the transaction "aligns with our long‑term strategy of building a diversified portfolio of high‑margin services." Compass senior managing director Brian Nurick noted that the partnership "provides Compass with the resources and technical expertise to deliver data‑driven guidance on a broader scale," and that the combined firm will "better serve public agencies across the Southeast."
Investors responded positively to the announcement, reflecting confidence in Willdan’s growth strategy and the expected synergies from the new municipal advisory capabilities. The transaction is expected to create cross‑sell opportunities across Willdan’s energy, engineering, and consulting segments, while positioning the company to capture a larger share of the growing public‑finance market.
The acquisition also signals Willdan’s continued focus on strategic M&A to accelerate geographic expansion and service diversification. While the company faces headwinds such as rising construction costs and regulatory uncertainty in the public‑finance space, the added expertise and client base from Compass provide a tailwind that should help offset these challenges and support future growth in the southeastern United States.
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