Canada-based design firm Stantec announced July 20 that it has signed a letter of intent to acquire WilsonMiller Inc., a planning, design and engineering firm headquartered in Naples, Fla., with more than 265 employees and 10 offices throughout the state.

“We believe that WilsonMiller will be a catalyst for future growth of Stantec in Florida, which despite the current difficult economic climate, still remains one of the largest markets in the country,” Bob Gomes, Stantec president and CEO, said in a press statement announcing the acquisition.

This year, Edmondton, Alberta, Canada-based Stantec Inc. ranked No. 24 on the Engineering News-Record’s Top Global Design Firms list with worldwide design revenue in 2009 of $1.29 billion. WilsonMiller ranked No. 318 on the ENR Top 500 Design Firms list, with reported 2009 design revenue of $33.8 million.

Stantec has had a small presence in Florida since 2006. The addition of WilsonMiller will bring Stantec’s presence in the state to approximately 300 employees providing services in the environment, geotechnical engineering, urban land and transportation practices.

The firms expect the transaction to be complete by the end of this month.