Backfence, the hyper-local news and information site operating in several Washington D.C. suburbs and the Bay Area, is expanding. Chicago will be its third metro area, and it is continuing to go deeper into the suburbs of its existing markets.

I was motivated to write to Backfence by a curious help wanted ad in Paid Content for "BackFence: General Manager, Chicago Area Local Community Web Sites." CEO Susan DeFife responded. "Chicago is Market 3. After Labor Day." DeFife added that the fifth D.C. community (Chantilly/Fair Oaks) launches Monday, July 10, and there will be "five more" D.C. suburbs up and running by January.

Meanwhile, the Bay Area Backfences, built on the remains of Bayosphere, will also see more sites. "Four more communities are coming to the Bay Area before the end of the year," said DeFife.