DECATUR, Ill. – ADM (Archer Daniels Midland) recently announced a multimillion-dollar investment to upgrade corn-receiving capacity at its Clinton, Iowa, corn processing facility.

Company officials said the project will add two high-speed receiving pits capable of handling up to 25,000 bushels per hour each, along with additional grain storage capacity and infrastructure improvements that will help move corn more efficiently through the facility.

By significantly increasing the facility’s receiving capacity, officials added, the improvements are designed to help reduce wait times during peak harvest periods and create a smoother, more efficient grain delivery process for farmers.

“We’re investing to position our Clinton, Iowa, corn processing facility for continued success, while dramatically improving the experience for our farmer partners,” said Tim McHenry, ADM North America Grain and Feed vice president, in a May 7 media statement. “These upgrades will help farmers spend less time waiting and more time in the field, and help ADM continue to connect those farmers and their crops to the many markets we serve.”

Currently, ADM’s Clinton facility employs over 750 people. The site includes a corn wet mill, producing sweeteners, starches, ethanol, beverage alcohol, corn oil, enzymes and animal feed ingredients, alongside grain elevator and barge loading operations.

In addition to upgrades within the facility, officials said the project will include improvements to the site’s inbound scale systems and the paving of a portion of the facility’s access road. The road improvements will help reduce dust and truck congestion, benefiting both grain haulers and nearby residents.

“We’re always evaluating opportunities to improve our operations,” ADM officials told Farm World in a May 26 statement. “In this case, we expect this investment to make grain deliveries faster, more efficient and more reliable for farmers, as well as continue to improve our overall operations to ensure we continue to meet customer needs.”

The high-speed pits are expected to be completed by the end of 2026, with storage enhancements scheduled for completion by summer 2027. “The new pits and infrastructure around them will help reduce wait times and improve traffic flow so farmers can get back to their fields more quickly,” the statement added.

Peter Bortoli, ADM regional operations manager, said, “Farmers want a simple, efficient experience when they arrive: pull in, unload, and get back to the field. This project will allow us to receive corn faster, improve reliability, and offer a better experience for our farmers, and our community.”

Officials said they expect much of the construction work and equipment sourcing for the upgrade project to come from contractors and suppliers in Iowa and the region, supporting local jobs and economic activity.

“We’ve been part of the Clinton community for more than 40 years,” McHenry said. “We’re proud to support local farmers, invest in our facilities, and contribute to the strength of this community.”