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Jackson Environmental Consulting Services, LLC

Richmond, KY

Owner: Jeremy Jackson
Center: Pikeville SBDC

Jeremy Jackson, a service-disabled veteran, enjoys wildlife; so much in fact, he shares his Richmond office with two pet snakes, a black rat snake and a bright orange corn snake. His passion for biology and ecology led him to the field of environmental consulting. Jackson worked for a consulting firm in Arkansas before he was lured to a West Virginia firm where he researched bats. He eventually landed in Pikeville where he was tasked with opening a branch office for his employer.

“I learned a lot through my experiences at consulting firms, particularly about the coal industry and environmental issues associated with this industry,” Jackson said. “I also gained valuable managerial experience by building an office from the ground up.”

Jackson studied the marketplace and saw a great opportunity for a business of his own. That’s when he decided to visit Mike Morley, center director and management consultant, at the Pikeville Small Business Development Center (SBDC).

“I really wanted to work with an agency that was well connected and established,” Jackson said.

Mike Morley helped Jackson through the entire process. He assisted him with his business plan; helped him weed through insurance options; and, introduced him to local bankers. The SBDC’s assistance helped Jackson secure a $100,000.00 loan which allowed him to open his business, Jackson Environmental Consulting Services, LLC.

Jackson Environmental Consulting Services, LLC provides a variety of services to help clients meet the requirements of the Endangered Species, Clean Water, Rivers and Harbors and the National Environmental Policy Acts. They assist businesses in complying with these acts by offering threatened and endangered species surveys, wetland and stream assessments, compensatory mitigation plans and geographic information systems (GIS) mapping.

“Working with Mike and the SBDC helped keep me focused. I gave him my target start date and he developed a timetable to meet that goal,” Jackson said.

Jackson decided in order to achieve his greatest potential he needed to find a location that was centrally located and in close proximity to large engineering companies he intended to partner with. He and his wife settled on Richmond. Not only is it located on a major interstate corridor, Eastern Kentucky University allows Jackson to have access to students eager to learn and research facilities.

Since opening in February, Jeremy Jackson and Jackson Environmental Consulting Services, LLC have achieved much success. The firm employs three full-time and four part-time people.

Jackson is extremely busy marketing his business and it is working. He doubled his goal of securing three stable clients outside of the coal industry. He also procured one state contract and several client contracts in the private sector. Upon completion of these contracts, Jackson will have reached his projected sales for the year.

Jackson is making additional goals to continue his success.

“We are continuing to compete for government contracts and looking at other sectors we can serve. Right now, we are focused on penetrating the wind industry.”

Jackson plans to work with the SBDC as his business continues to grow. He is also utilizing the services of the Kentucky Procurement Assistance Program for assistance in competing for government contracts.

Jackson Environmental Consulting Services, LLC, is located at 114 North 3rd Street, Suite 1 in Richmond, Kentucky. They can be reached at (859) 623-0499. More information is available on their web site www.jacksonenvironmental.com.

The Small Business Development Center in Pikeville assisted Jeremy Jackson in the planning and opening of his business. They can be reached at (606) 432-5848. The Pikeville SBDC is part of a network of 15 service centers located throughout the Commonwealth that help new and existing businesses succeed by providing no-cost confidential management consultations, low cost training programs and research to make informed business decisions. To find your local SBDC go to our homepage.