(KNZA)--An increased demand for space is prompting a St. Joseph business to expand.

According to a press release from Nor-Am Cold Storage, the company has finalized the purchase of the former Affiliated Foods distribution Center in Elwood, Kansas.

Nor-Am General Manager Justin Brandt says they plan to use the 478,000-square-foot facility to meet the demand of their current customers as well as attract new customers to the area.

The release says Nor-Am plans to hire up to 50 employees for the Elwood facility in the first 12 months, with a 5-year projection of roughly 90 jobs.

The company says the building has been well maintained but it will take $2 to $3 million worth of upgrades and renovations to get the building ready for production.

A handful of Nor-Am employees are to begin working out of the new warehouse around the middle of December.  

Nor-Am is a privately held, family operated public refrigerated warehouse.  Founded in 1999, the Iowa-based company currently has 300 employees with facilities in four states and the newly acquired location in Kansas.