Southfield-based civil engineering firm will add 150 positions over next 4 years

You can usually see a civil engineering firm's work, whether it's a roadway, bridge or  wastewater facility. But although Bolton & Associates' Southfield office is busy -- so busy that 150 employees in "highly technical" positions will be hired over the next four years -- little of their efforts can be seen in Southeast Michigan.

"Our business model here is that we are the production facility, we do the plans and specifications for our other offices, like in Maryland and Florida, and that's where most of our work has been," explains John Jacobson, the office's general manager.

Talent is one of the main reasons the company decided to expand here rather than a North Carolina site also under consideration. "Between institutions of higher learning and the focus on engineering and math and science, we saw talent here," says Ann Sinelli, vice president of marketing and sales. "Engineering expertise for our firm at a national level is coming out of our office," she adds.

The civil engineering, land planning and surveying firm was awarded a state tax credit valued at $1.8 million over seven years.

Sources: John Jacobson and Ann Sinelli, Bolton and Associates
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh