Chicago Growing, October 2009

One year after opening its North American headquarters in downtown Chicago, customer service software company, Sword Ciboodle, is seeking to quadruple its local workforce by hiring more than 60 new employees. The company, which expanded into the U.S. in August 2008 and has continued to secure new business across the globe, is looking to hire Chicago-based software engineers, business analysts, project managers and program managers. Sword Ciboodle is an example of a company that continues to grow and thrive in Chicago despite tough economic circumstances; this month’s Chicago Growing highlights many more that have recently announced plans to locate or expand in Chicago:

Consumer Health Advisers, Inc. (CHA), an in-home medical electronics company, completed a Series A venture capital round of $1.15 million and opened a new office in Chicago at the University Technology Park at IIT.

Emtec, Inc., an information technology systems integrator, announced the expansion of its Chicago office due to significant growth in its Global Services division.

Felix Global Corp., a human capital management firm based in Toronto, opened its first Chicago office.

Greenlight Initiative (GLI), a U.S. headquartered LED-lighting sales and solutions provider, opened a regional office in Chicago.

Kristine Fallon Associates Inc., a Chicago design and construction IT consulting firm, was selected by the federal government to create three-dimensional “virtual building” computer models to improve courthouses, border stations and other government facilities, creating roughly 60 jobs in Chicago.

Lathrop & Gage LLP, a Missouri-based corporate law firm, opened a Chicago office at 30 S. Wacker Drive in the Chicago Mercantile Exchange Building with “aggressive recruiting plans” and a marketing strategy that stresses lower billing rates.

McDonald Hopkins LLC is doubling the size of its Chicago law office with plans to move to a 25,000-square-foot space on the 21st floor of 300 N. LaSalle St.

Mitchell & Titus LLP, a New York-based accounting firm, expanded its space by about two-thirds as part of a move to a 10,000-square-foot space at 333 W. Wacker Drive to “expand their staff and service offering.”

National Surgical Centers signed a long-term lease to move its headquarters to 10,142 square feet at 250 S. Wacker Drive, allowing the organization to accommodate additional employees.

Patina Solutions, a professional services firm headquartered in Milwaukee, opened a Chicago office in the Willis Tower.

PC Mall, Inc., a California-based computer reseller, is subleasing more than 28,000 square feet at 111 N. Canal St. Its 40-employee suburban office will move downtown, combining with expanded local sales teams.

Pickard Chilton opened 300 North LaSalle, a new mixed-used tower on the North Bank of the Chicago River, which has achieved LEED CS Gold.

Primus Telecommunications Group, Incorporated, a global facilities-based communications company, announced the opening of its Midwest regional office in Chicago.

Rackspace Hosting, a world-leader in server hosting, announced plans to begin operating a new 36,700-square-foot data center facility in the Chicago area.

The Rand Group LLC (TRG), a business technology consulting firm, announced the expansion of its Chicago office.

The Regus Group, a global flexible workplace solutions company, is continuing its rapid expansion in the Chicago metropolitan area with the opening of its newest 25,000-square-foot center at 321 N. Clark Street.

RoundKeep Capital Advisors, a new Chicago-based hedge fund, was recently launched by a former Citadel Investment Group senior manager, along with three other former Citadel employees.

Seven D Construction Co., a Chicago road builder, is expanding as part of a move to a 2.8-acre property at 2000 W. 43rd St. in the Stockyards Industrial Park.

Smashburger, a US restaurant chain, has signed an agreement with Chicago caterer Food For Thought enterprises to operate 11 restaurants in the Chicago area.

The University of Phoenix is increasing its space at 203 N. LaSalle St. by almost two-thirds,  renewing its long-term lease for 44,000 square feet, up from 27,000.

Xchanging plc, a global business processor, opened its new U.S. headquarters in Chicago, employing 130 people at its offices at 8755 West Higgins Road.

Zipcar, the world’s largest car sharing service, announced the expansion of its local fleet to more than 400 vehicles in 140 locations throughout Chicago.