A ship loads grain at Kalama Export Company on the Columbia River, between Portland and Longview.
The Port of Kalama’s largest grain exporter will create 180 construction jobs and boost business by 25 percent during a massive expansion starting within the month, the company announced Wednesday. Kalama Export LLC officials said they plan to build a new wheat cleaning system, eight additional grain silos and a loading belt. Kalama Export is looking to capture a bigger share of the wheat and soybean markets, which are expected to grow in Japan and China, port officials said. The silos will also hold wheat, according to Kalama Export. Kalama Export accounted for about one-quarter of all Pacific Northwest grain exports in 2009.