Godspeed ICE USA Expands Southeastern Infrastructure Platform with Acquisition of Southeastern Land Company
Infrastructure Consulting & Engineering USA (ICE USA), a transportation-focused engineering, consulting and infrastructure services platform backed by Godspeed Capital Management LP, has expanded its capabilities through the acquisition of Southeastern Land Company (SLC).
Headquartered in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, SLC is a leading provider of right-of-way acquisition, easement acquisition and project management services for public infrastructure and utility projects throughout the Southeastern United States. The transaction represents the fourth addition to the growing ICE USA platform and further strengthens its ability to deliver comprehensive infrastructure solutions to government agencies, transportation authorities, municipalities and utility clients.
The acquisition brings together two businesses with complementary capabilities. ICE USA provides transportation engineering, consulting and infrastructure design services, while SLC specializes in the complex land acquisition and property management activities required to advance major infrastructure projects.
By combining these capabilities, the platform is positioned to provide clients with a broader range of services throughout the infrastructure project lifecycle. This includes planning, engineering, design, right-of-way acquisition, easement procurement, land acquisition and project delivery.
Founded in 1996, SLC has developed a strong reputation across North and South Carolina. The company has extensive experience securing rights-of-way, easements and fee-simple land acquisitions for infrastructure projects.
Land acquisition is often one of the most complex stages of a major infrastructure project. Transportation improvements, utility expansions and public works projects frequently require access to multiple properties and coordination with property owners, government agencies and regulatory authorities.
SLC has built its business around managing these challenges. Its team understands the regulatory, legal and logistical requirements involved in acquiring property interests for public infrastructure projects. This expertise enables the company to support clients from the early stages of project planning through the completion of property acquisition activities.
The Godspeed acquisition adds more than 67 experienced professionals to the ICE USA platform. SLC’s existing leadership team will continue to lead the company following the transaction, helping to maintain continuity for customers and employees.
SLC will operate alongside ICE USA, IDCUS Inc. and Robert G. Campbell and Associates under the broader ICE USA platform. IDCUS represents Godspeed Capital’s initial platform investment in the business, while RGC&A is another addition to the growing infrastructure services organization.
The Godspeed combination is designed to create a broader infrastructure consulting and engineering platform capable of serving clients across multiple regions and project types.
Elham Farzam, P.E., President and Chief Executive Officer of ICE USA, welcomed SLC and its team to the platform. She highlighted the company’s strong reputation in right-of-way and land services and emphasized the strategic value of adding these capabilities to ICE USA’s existing engineering and consulting operations.
According to ICE USA, the acquisition strengthens its ability to support customers throughout the entire infrastructure project lifecycle. Clients can benefit from access to services that extend from planning and design to property acquisition and project execution.
For Godspeed government agencies and infrastructure owners, the ability to coordinate multiple project functions through an integrated service platform can help improve efficiency and project coordination. Right-of-way acquisition often represents a critical path for transportation and utility projects, and delays in securing necessary property rights can affect construction schedules and overall project costs.
SLC’s expertise provides ICE USA with additional capabilities to help clients navigate these challenges.
Bill Saunders, President of Southeastern Land Company, said the partnership represents a new phase for the company while preserving its long-standing commitment to responsive, client-focused service.
SLC has operated for nearly three decades and has built relationships with utilities, municipalities and government agencies across the Carolinas. The company believes joining ICE USA will provide additional resources and opportunities for employees while allowing it to expand the services available to clients.
The transaction also supports Godspeed Capital’s broader strategy of building specialized infrastructure and government services platforms through strategic acquisitions.
J. Cameron Terry II, Partner at Godspeed Capital, described SLC as a highly complementary addition to ICE USA. He pointed to the company’s long-standing customer relationships, specialized expertise and strong reputation across the Carolinas as important strengths.
The Godspeed acquisition aligns with Godspeed Capital’s strategy of developing infrastructure services organizations capable of providing comprehensive solutions to both public and private-sector clients.
The Southeast has experienced significant growth in infrastructure investment in recent years. Population growth, industrial development, expanding utility networks and transportation modernization are driving demand for engineering, consulting, design and land acquisition services.
Large-scale infrastructure projects often require a combination of specialized technical capabilities. Transportation agencies may need engineering and design support, while also requiring right-of-way services to acquire land and easements necessary for construction.
Utilities face similar challenges as they develop transmission lines, pipelines, substations and other critical infrastructure. Municipalities and government agencies also require professional support to manage property acquisition and project delivery.
The Godspeed combination of ICE USA and SLC creates an opportunity to address these needs through a broader platform.
SLC’s operations will continue to focus on right-of-way and land acquisition services, while ICE USA will continue providing transportation consulting and design capabilities. Together, the businesses can support a wider range of project requirements.
ICE USA was founded in 2013 and is headquartered in West Columbia, South Carolina. The company operates approximately 30 offices across several states, including North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Louisiana, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia.
The Godspeed company focuses on public infrastructure projects and has established a significant presence in the transportation consulting and design sector. Its network gives the broader platform access to a growing regional footprint across the Southeastern United States.
The addition of SLC strengthens the platform’s presence in the Carolinas and adds specialized expertise that can be applied across the wider ICE USA network.
The Godspeed acquisition also reflects a broader trend in the infrastructure services industry, where engineering and consulting companies are increasingly expanding through strategic acquisitions. By adding complementary capabilities, companies can broaden their service offerings, expand geographic coverage and improve their ability to support complex projects.
For ICE USA, SLC represents the fourth addition to the platform. The transaction demonstrates the company’s continued expansion strategy and its focus on building a comprehensive infrastructure services organization.
Godspeed Capital is a lower middle-market private equity firm focused on defense, government services, solutions and technology businesses. The firm partners with management teams and invests in companies seeking growth capital, operational expertise and strategic support.
Its investment strategy includes control buyouts, buy-and-build strategies, corporate carve-outs and special situations. The firm typically targets companies generating approximately $3 million to $30 million in EBITDA, while also having the resources to participate in larger transactions through strategic co-investment relationships.
The acquisition of SLC demonstrates the firm’s focus on supporting platform companies through strategic expansion.
As part of the transaction, Moore & Van Allen PLLC served as legal advisor to Godspeed Capital and ICE USA. Eide Bailly LLP served as financial advisor to Southeastern Land Company.
Going forward, SLC is expected to continue operating under its established brand and leadership while benefiting from its integration into the broader ICE USA platform. The partnership is expected to create opportunities for additional collaboration, expanded resources and broader service capabilities.
The acquisition strengthens ICE USA’s position as a full-service infrastructure consulting and engineering platform. By combining transportation design and engineering with right-of-way and land acquisition expertise, the company can provide clients with a more integrated approach to infrastructure development.
As infrastructure investment continues across the Southeast, demand for specialized project delivery services is expected to remain strong. The acquisition of Southeastern Land Company gives ICE USA additional expertise and resources to support transportation agencies, utilities, municipalities and government organizations throughout the region.
The transaction marks another step in the growth of the ICE USA platform and reinforces Godspeed Capital’s strategy of building specialized infrastructure services businesses capable of supporting critical public and private-sector projects.
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