The Great Western Malting Company celebrates

Friday marked a big step for The Great Western Malting Company in Pocatello.

City leaders broke ground on the $74 million expansion, which will bring more jobs to the community.

Applause and cheering is what welcomed the ground breaking. Idahoans, along with employees of The Western Malting Plant listened to city leaders discuss the past history of the plant along with the future of the company and what effect the expansion will have on the community and economy.

Vice chairmen of the Idaho economic advisory council was there to celebrate the achievement of the company and are looking forward to the future.

“The capital investment itself has a tremendous impact in terms of construction jobs that are provided,” said Vice Chairmen, Arlen Wittrock.

Plant manager Tevis Vance, who has worked for the plant for 35 years, said “Many of the team members here are long term employees. And we worked hard here as a group to put this plant and site in position for this type of opportunity. And we’ve done it.”

Construction of the expansion is set to be completed by summer 2017.