(Carl Cronan is editor of Real EstateFlorida.)

TAMPA, FL-Atwell-Hicks LLC, a Michigan-based land development consulting firm, has expanded its regional presence by merging with locally based civil engineering firm Hills & Associates Inc. In turn, Atwell-Hicks will move into the company's building. Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.

"We thought this was a great way to join forces," Brian Wenzel, Atwell-Hicks CEO, tells GlobeSt.com. "It's a great opportunity with a series of great people."

The combined firm will have approximately 40 employees at Hills & Associates' two-story, 40,000-sf office building, which opened last year at 4610 Eisenhower Blvd., near Tampa International Airport. Atwell-Hicks has been leasing its offices at 4805 Independence Parkway since establishing operations in Tampa in 2005.