Bodewell Group Forms to Guide America’s $12 Trillion Infrastructure Boom

SAN DIEGO, CA – February 23, 2026 – In a strategic move to address a historic wave of national infrastructure investment, prominent West Coast public affairs firm Southwest Strategies Group has rebranded as Bodewell Group. The new name marks the unification of several recently acquired agencies into a single, formidable strategic communications firm aimed at navigating the complexities of America’s ambitious rebuilding effort.

The rebranding comes as the United States embarks on what experts call a generational overhaul of its foundational systems, with more than $12 trillion in planned improvements for the nation’s water, transportation, energy, technology, and land use sectors. Bodewell Group is positioning itself at the epicenter of this transformation, advising the public and private sector entities tasked with turning these plans into reality.

“Bodewell Group was built for this moment,” said Chris Wahl, the firm’s Founder and CEO, in a statement announcing the change. “In a period of historic infrastructure expansion, our clients need clarity and alignment. Our expanded capabilities help them secure support, manage risk, and deliver results.”

Effective immediately, all legacy firms—including Southwest Strategies and its recent acquisitions—will operate exclusively under the Bodewell Group banner. The consolidation creates a firm of approximately 140 employees with a significant presence across the Western U.S., including its San Diego headquarters and offices in Fresno, Los Angeles, Phoenix, San Francisco, and Seattle.

A Calculated Blueprint for National Scale

The formation of Bodewell Group is not merely a name change but the culmination of a multi-year growth strategy executed through a series of targeted acquisitions. This M&A blitz transformed the firm from a regional powerhouse into a multi-state entity with a comprehensive and highly specialized service offering.

The expansion began in 2023 with the acquisition of Katz & Associates, a respected California firm known for its deep expertise in water and public infrastructure communications. This move immediately established the combined entity as a leader in the state’s critical water sector.

In 2024, the firm continued its expansion by acquiring two more firms. It brought on BergDavis Public Affairs, a San Francisco-based firm with a strong foothold in Bay Area real estate, housing, and economic development. Simultaneously, it acquired ColLAborate, a women-owned public affairs firm specializing in community outreach and lobbying in the vast Los Angeles market.

This strategic growth culminated in 2025 with the acquisition of Kiterocket, a public relations agency with offices in Phoenix and Seattle specializing in emerging technologies, semiconductors, and renewable energy. This final piece of the puzzle extended the firm's geographic reach and crucially, aligned its capabilities with the technology and sustainability sectors that are integral to modern infrastructure.

By integrating these diverse specialties—from water policy and housing development to community lobbying and high-tech PR—Bodewell Group has constructed a full-service consultancy designed to handle the multifaceted communications challenges of large-scale projects.

Capitalizing on a $12 Trillion Opportunity

The timing of Bodewell Group’s launch is inextricably linked to an unprecedented surge in federal funding. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), signed in late 2021, unlocked $1.2 trillion for infrastructure, including $550 billion in new investments for roads, bridges, public transit, rail, broadband, and the power grid. This was followed by the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which is channeling an additional $369 billion into climate and clean energy initiatives, further catalyzing private investment.

Despite this influx of capital, the challenge remains immense. The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) 2025 Report Card for America's Infrastructure assigned the nation a grade of “C,” an improvement but still indicative of systemic deficiencies. The ASCE estimates a staggering $3.7 trillion investment gap remains, highlighting the critical need to execute funded projects efficiently and build the case for future investment.

This environment creates a fertile ground for firms like Bodewell Group. Every major project funded by the BIL and IRA, from replacing lead water pipes and expanding broadband access to building new rail lines and clean energy facilities, requires a sophisticated communications strategy to earn public trust, navigate regulatory hurdles, and manage stakeholder relationships.

The Architects of Public Consent

Bodewell Group’s core mission is to serve as what some in the industry call “architects of public consent.” The firm builds on a long track record, with its leadership having helped secure and build over $10 billion in infrastructure projects over the past two decades. Its legacy firms have been instrumental in managing communications for some of the West Coast's most complex and controversial projects.

Case studies from the firm’s past work illustrate this role in action. For the massive Sunrise Powerlink transmission line and the Carlsbad Desalination Project, the firm developed and implemented extensive outreach programs to navigate significant public opposition. On projects like the SR-11 freeway and the new Otay Mesa East Port of Entry, the focus was on maintaining transparent dialogue to secure international and community support. For the Pure Water San Diego program, the challenge was to transform public understanding of water recycling to build broad community backing.

This work goes far beyond traditional public relations. It involves deep community engagement, building coalitions, navigating complex political landscapes, and mitigating the risks that can derail multibillion-dollar initiatives. As CEO Chris Wahl noted, the new name is intentional, chosen to reflect the firm’s goal of ensuring projects “bode well” for its clients and the communities they serve.

With its unified brand, expanded expertise, and a clear focus on the nation's most critical sectors, Bodewell Group has positioned itself not just to participate in the coming infrastructure boom, but to be one of the essential firms helping to build it.