Renewable Energy Group Inc. celebrated the opening of its newest office building in Ames on Thursday, marking the third office the company has opened since moving its headquarters to the area in 2007.

According to a news release, the 15,000-square-foot building is located just north of REG’s main site and only a block from its other building. The proximity to its other sites helps facilitate high levels of collaboration among employees, officials said in the release. Cynthia Warner, REG’s president and CEO, said the company continues to see growth in demand for bio-based diesel and continues to expand its operations to meet that demand.

“We have seen significant growth of our team over the course of the last several years, and we are looking forward to having this new office space to accommodate our growth, both now and in the future,” she said.

REG employs about 350 people in Ames, and more than 1,000 globally. It is in the middle of a plan to be acquired by Chevron Corp., an acquisition that was announced earlier this year. Chevron announced plans to acquire the outstanding shares of REG in an all-cash transaction of $3.15 billion that would combine REG’s growing renewable fuels production with Chevron’s large manufacturing, distribution and marketing position. After the transaction closes, expected in the second half of this year, Chevron’s renewable business will be headquartered in Ames, and Warner will join Chevron’s board of directors.