What Metro Consulting Associates does

Metro Consulting Associates (MCA) is a Plymouth, Michigan-based multidisciplinary engineering and surveying consultancy founded in 2009. The firm delivers civil engineering, land surveying, GIS, ecological consulting, right-of-way acquisition, construction materials testing (CMT), and manhole scanning services to four primary verticals: municipalities and public utilities, power and energy companies (including renewable developers and oil and gas pipeline operators), and commercial, residential, and industrial land developers. Its revenue model is fee-based professional services delivered through project contracts, hourly billing, and annual retainers, with multi-year program-level relationships (e.g., a decade-long Menards program spanning 50 projects across six states; a directorship of the City of Highland Park Water Department managing a $10M annual budget since 2016).

The firm's technology stack is built around advanced field data collection (3D static scanning, mobile LiDAR, GPR utility locating, FAA-certified UAS pilots, and remote-sensing manhole scanning that eliminates confined-space entry) combined with a GIS-centric asset management platform (ArcGIS Pro/Online, Cityworks customization, NASSCO/MACP-certified inspection) and a 2024-launched AASHTO-accredited materials testing laboratory. MCA holds professional engineering and surveying licensure across 23+ states, operates five offices across Michigan and Ohio, and maintains a 60+ project renewable energy portfolio spanning wind, solar, and battery energy storage systems.

Go-to-market is relationship-based enterprise field sales targeting municipalities, utilities, and private developers through direct outreach, RFP responses, and grant-funded project work. The firm has secured over $63M in municipal funding for clients and pursues long-tenured program-level engagements as a switching-cost anchor. Distribution is delivered through in-house multidisciplinary teams under a single-point-of-contact model, with marketing primarily conducted through technical content, an industry newsletter (Digital Compass), and conference participation.

Name

Metro Consulting Associates

Legal name

Metro Consulting Associates, LLC

Website

https://metroca.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Metro Consulting Associates is a Michigan-based multidisciplinary engineering and surveying firm providing civil engineering, GIS, ecological, right-of-way, CMT, and manhole scanning services to municipalities, utilities, energy developers, and land developers across the Midwest.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Civil Engineering and Land Surveying Services

NAICS

Management Consulting Services (54161), Surveying and Mapping (except Geophysical) Services (541370), Environmental Consulting Services (541620), Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services (5416)

SIC

Services-Engineering Services (8711), Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700)

akta.pro primary industry

Civil & Structural Engineering Consulting (BPAHAIAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Water, Wastewater & Hydraulics Engineering Consulting (BPAHAIAD), Industrial & Process Engineering Consulting (BPAHAIAF)

Keywords

• Civil engineering services
• Land surveying
• GIS asset management
• Ecological consulting
• Right-of-way acquisition

Headquarters

HQ city

Michigan City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Professional Engineering and Consulting Services: MCA generates revenue through fee-based professional consulting contracts for civil engineering, land surveying, ecological consulting, GIS, right-of-way acquisition, construction materials testing, and manhole scanning services. Projects range from short-term engagements to multi-year program-level contracts (e.g., decade-long Menards program, 3-year Detroit manhole scanning project). Revenue is earned through project fees, hourly billing, and annual contract retainers for managed municipal departments.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Metro Consulting Associates is a multidisciplinary engineering and surveying firm that provides civil engineering, land surveying, GIS, ecological consulting, right-of-way acquisition, construction materials testing, and manhole scanning services to municipalities, utilities, energy developers, oil and gas pipeline operators, and land developers. The firm combines in-house multidisciplinary teaming with advanced field technology (3D scanning, mobile LiDAR, GPR, UAS, manhole scanning) and an AASHTO-accredited laboratory to deliver projects from pre-construction through post-construction across the Midwestern United States.

Product overview

Metro Consulting Associates (MCA) is a multifaceted energy, land, and community development firm offering integrated professional services across multiple disciplines. The company provides a comprehensive portfolio of services organized into two main categories: Markets (Electric Distribution/Transmission, Renewables, Municipal, Site Development, Gas Distribution Systems, Pipelines and Facilities) and Services (Civil Engineering, Land Surveying, Geographic Information Systems, Ecological Consulting, Right of Way Acquisition, Construction Materials Testing, Manhole Scanning). MCA was founded in 2009 as a land surveying firm and has grown to offer multidisciplinary capabilities typically found in large firms combined with agile project management and budget-friendly services. With over 60 wind, solar, and battery storage projects completed, the company serves private and public sector clients throughout the Midwestern United States. Notable technology-enabled services include advanced land surveying (3D scanning, mobile LiDAR, UAV), GIS solutions (ArcGIS Pro/Online, Cityworks), AASHTO-accredited materials testing, and remote-sensing manhole inspection.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Civil Engineering Professional civil engineering design including site utilities, water systems, stormwater management, roadway design, permitting assistance, and construction documentation for municipal, energy, and private development projects.
• Land Surveying Precision surveying services utilizing 3D static scanning, mobile LiDAR, manhole scanning, unmanned aerial systems (3 licensed FAA pilots), and GPR for electric/gas corridor projects, renewable energy developments, and municipal support.
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS) GIS data collection, analysis, and management including ArcGIS Pro/Online integration, Cityworks customization, web service and dashboard development, NASSCO certified pipeline assessment, and 3D spatial analysis for municipal and utility clients.
• Ecological Consulting Services
• Right of Way Acquisition Real estate practices, negotiation, acquisition, title, and condemnation support services for renewable energy, electric and gas corridor, and municipal markets.
• Construction Materials Testing (CMT) AASHTO-accredited laboratory and field testing services including soil corrosion analysis, concrete testing, aggregate testing, asphalt testing, and special inspections across a 22-county area in Michigan. CMT Lab located at 2021 S. Schaefer Hwy., Detroit, MI 48217.
• Manhole Scanning
• Electric Distribution and Transmission Services Grid improvement services including system rebuilds, redundancy, and ongoing maintenance for electric distribution and transmission lines and supporting substations. Includes easement acquisition, routing support, and vegetation management.
• Renewable Energy Services Pre-construction, balance of plant, and post-construction services for wind, solar, and battery storage projects, including site selection, permitting, environmental characterization, and asset management documentation.
• Municipal Services Infrastructure engineering and advisory services for municipalities including water utility operations, road rehabilitation, funding assistance, and community development support; MCA has secured over $63 million in municipal funding for clients.
• Site Development Comprehensive development consulting from pre-design through post-construction including feasibility studies, entitlements, civil engineering design, and construction support for commercial, residential, industrial, and institutional projects.
• Gas Distribution Systems Services Engineering and support for new, replacement, or existing gas lines and supporting facilities, spanning landowner engagement through post-construction restoration and asset location, with advanced technology for asset digitization.
• Pipelines and Facilities Services Pipeline development services from initial landowner engagement through post-construction restoration for linear corridor projects, with Operator Qualification (OQ) certified personnel and specialization in safety standards.

Quantifiable outcome

• Secured over $63 million in municipal funding for clients across Michigan
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Corby Energy ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorby Energy Services is described as MCA's 'sister company,' with whom MCA collaborates on sewer pipe assessments and manhole inspections. The two companies work together on field operations, combining MCA's manhole scanning capabilities with Corby's sewer pipe assessment expertise for municipal wastewater clients.
• R2O ConsultingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMCA and R2O Consulting joined forces to help municipalities and public utilities improve aging water and wastewater infrastructure. The partnership leverages MCA's engineering and CMT capabilities with R2O's consulting expertise for infrastructure improvement engagements.
• Volatus InfrastructureminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVolatus Infrastructure announced a strategic partnership with MCA, likely related to BESS or energy infrastructure development.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Stantec: Global engineering, architecture, and environmental services firm with a strong municipal water and community development practice. Competes for the same municipal infrastructure RFPs as MCA at larger scale.
• Kimley-Horn: U.S. planning, engineering, and design consulting firm with significant municipal and land development practices. Comparable service mix and GTM, though materially larger and more diversified geographically.
• Tetra Tech: Global consulting and engineering firm with a leading water, environment, and renewable energy practice. Competes with MCA on municipal water and renewables work but at vastly larger scale and broader geographic reach.
• AECOM: Global infrastructure consulting firm with major water, environment, transportation, and energy practices. Competes with MCA on larger municipal and energy infrastructure pursuits.
• TRC Companies: U.S. engineering and consulting firm focused on infrastructure, environmental, and energy markets. Overlaps with MCA on utility, renewables, and ecological consulting engagements.

Direct peers

• Wade Trim: Michigan-based civil engineering and consulting firm serving municipalities, utilities, and land developers across the Midwest. Highly comparable to MCA in service mix, client base, and regional concentration.
• Olsson: Mid-sized U.S. engineering and design firm serving municipalities, utilities, and private developers with surveying, civil, and environmental services. Closely comparable mid-market peer with similar multidisciplinary positioning.
• Fleis & VandenBrink: Michigan-based multi-discipline engineering, surveying, and environmental firm serving municipalities, utilities, and private developers. Direct peer in municipal water/wastewater and land development work.
• Giffels Webster: Michigan-based civil engineering, surveying, and planning firm serving public and private clients. Comparable in municipal infrastructure and land development service offering.
• Hubbell, Roth & Clark: Michigan-focused engineering firm providing municipal water/wastewater, transportation, and surveying services. Closely comparable in municipal engineering expertise and Midwest geographic exposure.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/metroconsultingassociates
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/metro-consulting-associates
• Xx.com/MetroCA_net

Compliance11 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Metro Consulting Associates