Entering its 63rd year at its original East Federal Street, Youngstown, Ohio, location, MS Consultants continues to expand its impact throughout the Mahoning Valley and JobsOhio’s Lake to River region.
The firm, which provides engineering, architectural and planning consultant services, has 372 employees.
During 2025, the multidisciplinary engineering and architecture firm demonstrated progress across transformational community projects, strategic partnerships and continued organizational growth, Mark Buchenic, vice president of regional operations, Eastern Ohio, reports.
“This past year brought both challenges and opportunities, including evolving regional needs, workforce demands and complex project scopes,” Buchenic says. “Despite these pressures, teams adapted by strengthening collaboration with community partners, enhancing internal project delivery systems and deepening technical expertise across engineering, architecture and planning services.”
Among MS Consultants’s significant milestones last year was the firm’s role as program manager, alongside Eastgate Council of Regional Governments, for the Mahoning River Corridor River of Opportunity projects, Buchenic says. Planned by MS Consultants under Eastgate’s guidance in 2020, the projects are funded through Gov. Mike DeWine’s Ohio Appalachian Community Grant program.
“These improvements are now under construction in Lowellville, Struthers, Youngstown, Niles and Warren, with completion expected in late 2026,” Buchenic says. “The efforts will revitalize the riverfront and unlock long-term community and economic benefits.”
The firm continues to expand its leadership in regional infrastructure initiatives. In partnership with the Western Reserve Port Authority, it will advance the design of an access road, funded by the All Ohio Future Fund, for Kimberly-Clark Corp.’s $800 million plant in Warren, Howland and Warren townships.
Additionally, MS Consultants strengthened its role as municipal engineers and technical advisers in Ashtabula and Columbiana counties, Buchenic says. In the city of Conneaut, the firm helped launch early-stage development for a comprehensive 10-year water and wastewater capital plan, including treatment, distribution, collection and a dredging facility. In East Palestine, technical experts are overseeing upgrades at the water treatment plant and supporting development of a new government safety and services center, as well as continuing to be the municipal engineer for other communities in Mahoning and Trumbull counties.
Demonstrating its commitment to the Mahoning Valley, MS Consultants supported several community organizations and initiatives, he says. These include Youngstown State University’s Concrete Canoe and Steel Bridge Competition, Engineers Week activities, Society of Women Engineers programming and many other campus events.
The firm maintained its involvement with regional organizations, including the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber and Lake To River Economic Development. It is an active supporter of the Western Reserve Port Authority and Eastgate, United Way, Panerathon, Mahoning County and Trumbull County Engineer High School Miniature Bridge Building Competition, Liberty Schools Robotics and several additional local programs.
“Looking ahead, MS Consultants is focused on operational excellence, including transitioning to a new enterprise resource planning system,” Buchenic says. “This investment will streamline processes, enhance project management and strengthen its ability to deliver efficient, high-quality solutions for its clients.”
