BISMARCK, N.D. — The North Dakota Industrial Commission has authorized the expenditure of $19,815,000 to increase milling capacity at the North Dakota Mill in Grand Forks, N.D., by 11,500 cwts per day. The mill currently has capacity of 38,000 cwts per day, according to the Grain & Milling Annual 2014 published by Sosland Publishing Co. With the expansion, North Dakota Mill will become the sixth largest U.S. milling company, up from ninth currently. The Grand Forks mill also is the nation’s largest mill, ahead of Kraft Foods’ Toledo, Ohio, mill, which has daily capacity of 31,000 cwts.

“The mill’s reputation for providing a superior product is known across the nation and is reflected in our customers demand for more flour,” said Doug Goehring, agriculture commissioner. “This expansion will create additional demand for more than 7,500,000 bus of North Dakota hard red spring wheat each year.”

North Dakota Mill earlier this year was approved for an expansion project of $7,985,000. That project includes construction of a building on the mill’s property in Grand Forks.  

“This is a good investment for the future of the state mill and the agriculture industry in North Dakota,” said Governor Jack Dalrymple. “We are always looking for ways to add value to the wheat grown in North Dakota, and the mill has a proven record of producing a superior product. That is reflected in the customer demand we are seeing for the mill’s flour.”

Vance Taylor, president and general manager of North Dakota Mill, said the project is “necessary” to meet the growth in demand from current customers.