Terracon, a nationwide consulting engineering firm specializing in environmental, geotechnical, and construction services, is working to grow its footprint in western Kentucky with a focus on Owensboro and the surrounding region.
The employee-owned company, headquartered in Kansas City, provides a range of services designed to support projects from early planning stages through construction and completion. Those services include geotechnical engineering, construction materials testing, environmental consulting, and facilities services.
“We offer geotechnical and materials testing, which is essentially third-party construction inspection, along with environmental services like Phase I assessments and brownfield work,” said Isaac Hardesty, geotechnical department manager. “Our goal is to work with clients from start to finish, providing recommendations up front and then staying involved through design and construction.”
Hardesty said Terracon remains involved throughout the building process to help ensure projects meet specifications and regulatory standards.
“Once construction starts, we represent our clients to make sure everything is done according to plans and codes throughout the entire process,” he said.
Founded in 1965, Terracon has grown into a national firm with offices across the country, serving both national and local clients. The company works exclusively on commercial projects, ranging from small developments to large-scale industrial and infrastructure work.
“We only do commercial work, but that can range from something like a Chick-fil-A to large industrial projects, solar developments, or data centers,” Hardesty said. “We try to work with projects of all sizes.”
While Terracon maintains a national presence, Hardesty said the company places a strong emphasis on building local relationships and serving communities at a regional level.
“We have national clients across the country, but we try to keep about 50 to 60 percent of our work local,” he said. “There’s a strong emphasis on building connections and serving the communities where we work.”
That approach is reflected in the company’s growing involvement in Owensboro-area projects. Hardesty said Terracon has already contributed to local development efforts, including work on a new retail project.
“We recently completed the geotechnical work and are currently performing materials testing on the new Kroger on Fairview,” he said.
Hardesty, an Owensboro native, said his return to the area has been driven by both personal ties and a professional goal to expand Terracon’s presence in a part of the state that currently lacks a nearby office.
“I was born and raised in Owensboro and moved back about three years ago,” he said. “My goal is to build up a strong client base in this region and eventually open a full-time office here.”
Terracon currently operates offices in Louisville and Lexington, leaving western Kentucky as a key area for potential growth. Hardesty said he has spent the past several years developing relationships and opportunities in the region.
“That was always the goal,” he said. “I wanted to get to a position where I could come back and really focus on this area and try to make an impact here.”
As development continues across Owensboro and the surrounding region, Hardesty said Terracon is positioned to support projects of all sizes while strengthening its local presence.
The Chamber Member of the Week program is a Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce membership benefit. Founded in 1913, the Chamber has worked to provide valuable benefits and services to member businesses and individuals for over a century.
Today, with nearly 1,000 members, the Chamber is a guiding force in community and business development initiatives and serves as the center of business advocacy for the Greater Owensboro region.
To learn more about becoming the Chamber Member of the Week or inquire about Chamber membership, contact Kitty Jones, director of membership, at 270-926-1860 or [email protected].
