StartSmart Counsel Represents Azure in Landmark Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Deal
StartSmart Counsel is proud to have served as legal counsel to Azure in one of the most significant Public-Private Partnership (PPP) transactions of the year. This landmark deal reflects the growing importance of well-structured public-private partnerships in addressing infrastructure needs while enabling innovation and capital investment.
The project underscores the power of PPP frameworks to align government objectives with private sector expertise and financing, resulting in long-term, high-impact solutions for communities.
What Is a Public-Private Partnership?
A Public-Private Partnership (PPP) is a long-term agreement between a government entity and a private company to deliver a public service or infrastructure project. In a typical PPP, the private partner is responsible for financing, constructing, and sometimes operating and maintaining the project, while the public entity retains ownership and oversight.
These partnerships are increasingly used in sectors such as transportation, water, energy, housing, and digital infrastructure. PPPs enable governments to leverage private capital and efficiency while focusing public funds on oversight and public benefit.
A Landmark Transaction Reflecting the Scale and Complexity of Modern PPPs
The Azure transaction is one of the largest PPPs executed in its sector this year, with a project value exceeding $180 million. The deal involved a multi-jurisdictional infrastructure initiative and required careful coordination between public stakeholders and private financiers. The scale of the transaction demonstrates both the maturity of PPP models in the U.S. and the demand for sophisticated legal counsel to manage complex regulatory, financial, and operational structures.
StartSmart Counsel played a lead legal advisory role throughout the transaction.
The development is projected to generate $5–6.5 million annually in property taxes, create 400 construction jobs, and provide between 150–250 permanent hospitality jobs for local residents.
StartSmart Counsel’s Role in the Azure Project
Our firm provided comprehensive legal services, including:
Structuring the PPP agreement to meet regulatory requirements at the local, state, and federal levels
Negotiating risk allocation, performance incentives, and long-term governance terms
Advising on financing structures involving both equity and debt capital sources
Supporting stakeholder engagement and contract execution across multiple jurisdictions
This transaction reflects our firm’s ability to advise on high-value, multi-party infrastructure projects that require both legal precision and strategic insight.
Why PPPs Matter
As public infrastructure demands grow and fiscal constraints persist, PPPs offer a pathway to deliver critical assets without overburdening government budgets. Key advantages of the PPP model include:
Access to private financing without immediate public expenditure
Enhanced efficiency and innovation through private sector delivery methods
Long-term accountability via performance-based contracts
Risk transfer from the public to the private sector for construction and operations
When properly structured, PPPs can accelerate development, improve service quality, and generate long-term value for all stakeholders.
Your Legal Partner for PPP Success
StartSmart Counsel is honored to support clients like Azure in advancing impactful PPP projects. Our firm advises public agencies, private developers, infrastructure funds, and joint ventures across the full lifecycle of public-private partnerships, from procurement through closing and post-execution governance.
If your organization is exploring a PPP opportunity or seeking legal guidance on structuring a compliant and efficient partnership, we welcome the opportunity to support your strategy.
Call StartSmart Counsel at 786.461.1617 to schedule a consultation and explore how we can help you build successful, sustainable partnerships that benefit both the public and private sectors.
