Pinion Acquires A1 Development Solutions to Expand Land Advisory Services

Established in 2017 to manage the intricate permitting, utility coordination and government relations required for livestock and grain projects, Sioux Falls-based A1 Development Solutions has joined Pinion, a national food and agriculture business advisory and accounting firm, siouxfalls.business reported. The combination expands Colorado-based Pinion’s services in land development and project consulting while bringing A1’s expertise in agricultural, commercial and industrial development to a broader client base spanning the United States.

The merger comes as rural development projects struggle with growing challenges, including financing, incentives, and the difficulties of choosing a site and completing it. For ag producers, landowners and rural communities in South Dakota and the Upper Midwest, the deal pairs A1’s nearly decade of hands-on project coordination with Pinion’s established land advisory capabilities in conservation, sustainability, capital improvements and right-of-way work. The companies say their combined effort will provide a full, nationwide solution for site development, helping clients advance projects with one unified team instead of working with separate specialists at each stage.

Coordinating Projects from Permitting to Completion

A1 Development Solutions has built its reputation across South Dakota and the Upper Midwest by managing the intricate logistics that often stall rural development. The firm specializes in coordinating complex projects from initial site selection through completion, handling permitting, utility coordination, real estate brokerage, financing and incentives, government relations and project management for each development it undertakes.

Its portfolio spans livestock and grain projects as well as processing and value-added agricultural development, and in recent years the company has expanded into renewable energy, industrial development and energy infrastructure projects. This breadth of experience across multiple sectors means the firm can shepherd a project through every phase, from the earliest planning stages through construction and completion, serving clients throughout South Dakota and the Upper Midwest for nearly a decade.

“We’re thrilled to join Pinion and expand our ability to serve clients across the U.S.,” said Paul Kostboth, founding partner of A1. “By combining our broad development expertise, industry connections and experience with Pinion’s land advisory capabilities, we can offer clients a truly comprehensive approach to site development nationwide.”

Kostboth joins partners Ty Eschenbaum and Mark Mickelson in the transition to the national platform. Eschenbaum emphasized the continuity of the firm’s client relationships and delivery record: “For 10 years, A1 has earned clients’ trust by delivering results on challenging projects across South Dakota and the Upper Midwest. We’re pleased to bring our full-service model to Pinion, using our established relationships and coordinated expertise to accelerate more projects.”

Extending a 1932 Legacy Across Rural America

With origins dating back to 1932, Pinion delivers accounting, consulting and business advisory services to agricultural and other industries, operating throughout the United States and internationally, including Australia and additional markets reached through the Pinion Global Network. The firm already maintains land advisory services covering conservation, sustainability, capital improvements and right-of-way work, giving it a deep foundation in the regulatory and environmental aspects of land use that complements hands-on development work.

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“The A1 team brings deep experience and a practical understanding of the ag producers, landowners and rural communities we’ve long served, strengthening our ability to help projects move forward and create long-term financial viability,” said Jeff Wald, CEO of Pinion. “We are excited to partner with the team and create a positive effect on the rural economy across America.”

According to Quint Shambaugh, principal with Pinion land advisory, the addition complements the company’s existing services and follows a model that has been successful within its advisory practice in Australia. “This is a natural fit for our business,” Shambaugh said. “Planning and development services complement the land advisory, conservation, sustainability, capital improvement and right-of-way work we’re already doing, and it follows a model that’s worked well within our Pinion Advisory practice in Australia.”

A1 will co-brand with its existing name for now before eventually taking on the Pinion Global name, marking the next phase for the Sioux Falls firm as it extends its reach beyond the Upper Midwest to serve clients across the U.S. Financial terms of the partnership were not disclosed in the announcement.