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, a major exporter of world grain supplies, is planning a $40 million expansion at the Port of Portland.

After months of working through the permitting process at the city, the company today announced plans to expand its facilities at the port’s Terminal 5. Construction would begin within the next 30 days.

Port commissioners today also unanimously approved a new ground lease for the exporter.

Columbia Grain purchases wheat, corn and soybeans from more than 5,000 producers across the nation and sells them to major domestic and 30 foreign markets.

It currently operates 61 grain elevators in six western states with a combined capacity of 1.3 million metric tons; it handles nine million tons per year. The company reported that it anticipates growing export volumes for the next 25 years.

The company has already invested approximately $18 million in capital improvements at its 43-acre facility at Terminal 5.

Tom Hammond, Columbia Grain’s CEO, said in a prepared statement that the expansion would not be possible without the port’s efforts to deepen the Columbia River channel from 40 to 43 feet. He said BNSF Railway and Union Pacific also plan to make significant investments in rail and facility expansions in the coming years.

Josh Thomas, port spokesman, said the port has been working with Columbia Grain for a very long time on the deal and that it was glad to see it the expansion come to fruition.