Leaf & Grain team doubles down on expansion in Memorial City area

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  Published in Food and Wine on Monday, November 3rd 2025 at 7:19 GMT by KHOU 11

The Expansion Plan in Detail

The new project will add 30 acres of storage to the existing 40‑acre campus, bringing total storage capacity from 3.2 million bushels to an estimated 5.5 million bushels. Construction is slated to begin in the spring of 2024, with a projected completion date of late 2025. The expansion will also feature a high‑speed conveyor belt system, automated grain quality testing equipment, and a new loading dock designed to handle up to 12 trucks per hour—an increase from the current 8 trucks per hour.

“We are in a phase where we can’t keep up with the demand using the old facilities,” said Leaf Grain CEO, Thomas R. Hall, in a statement. “Doubling our capacity means we can serve the Midwest, Gulf Coast, and even international markets more effectively. It’s a strategic investment that positions us for the next decade.” The CEO added that the expansion would create roughly 120 new jobs, ranging from logistics coordinators to grain analysts, and that the company intends to hire a portion of the workforce from the local community.

The project is financed through a combination of internal cash reserves, a $10 million term loan from a Houston‑based bank, and a $5 million grant from the Texas Economic Development Office for infrastructure improvements. A portion of the funds will also be earmarked for community outreach, including scholarships for students pursuing agri‑business studies at local colleges.

Community and Economic Impact

Local officials have welcomed the expansion, noting that the project will generate a significant boost to the Memorial City economy. Houston Economic Development Director Maria Lopez highlighted that the development will not only increase employment but also attract ancillary businesses such as trucking firms, grain storage equipment suppliers, and food processing plants. “The ripple effect is substantial,” Lopez said. “We’re looking at an estimated $30 million in direct and indirect economic activity in the next five years.”

The expansion also includes a new green corridor on the north side of the property, designed to improve air quality and provide a recreational space for employees. The corridor will feature native grasses and trees, as well as a walking path that will connect to the Memorial City Greenway.

Environmental Considerations

Leaf Grain has pledged to incorporate environmentally sustainable practices in the new facility. A 2023 internal report revealed that the company plans to install a solar panel array covering 5,000 square feet of the new building’s roof, expected to offset up to 20% of its electricity usage. In addition, the company will implement a water recycling system for grain cleaning processes, reducing water consumption by an estimated 15%.

“We’re committed to reducing our carbon footprint while maintaining high efficiency,” Hall noted. “Our investment in renewable energy and water conservation demonstrates that profitability and sustainability can go hand in hand.”

Technical Upgrades

A key feature of the expansion is the integration of advanced grain handling technology. The new conveyor system will utilize variable‑frequency drives, allowing for real‑time speed adjustments based on grain flow and quality metrics. The facility will also adopt a digital grain quality testing system that uses near‑infrared spectroscopy to evaluate moisture content, protein levels, and contaminant presence. The data from this system will feed into Leaf Grain’s proprietary analytics platform, enabling predictive maintenance and supply chain optimization.

Links and Further Information

The Houston Business Journal article includes a link to Leaf Grain’s press release, which offers a deeper dive into the technical specifications and financial details of the expansion. The press release confirms that the new facility will be designed by Houston‑based engineering firm GreenLine Engineers, known for their work on sustainable industrial projects. It also lists the partners in the construction phase: BuildCo Construction Group and Midwest Logistics Consultants.

Another link in the article directs readers to the Texas Economic Development Office’s grant announcement, which outlines the criteria and impact metrics for the $5 million grant awarded to Leaf Grain. The announcement confirms that the grant is contingent on meeting specific job creation and environmental sustainability benchmarks, all of which Leaf Grain has already committed to in its expansion plan.

The Houston Business Journal piece also references an interview with Houston Community College’s Department of Agribusiness. The interview, available through the college’s website, details a new scholarship program that will fund up to 20 students annually in agri‑business majors, with a focus on technology integration and sustainable practices. The scholarship will be administered in partnership with Leaf Grain, who will provide internship opportunities for scholarship recipients.

Conclusion

Leaf Grain’s expansion in Memorial City marks a significant development for Houston’s agricultural logistics sector. With a $20 million investment in storage capacity, advanced grain handling technology, and a commitment to environmental sustainability, the company is positioning itself as a leading player in the grain market. The project is expected to create jobs, stimulate local economic growth, and reinforce Houston’s status as a logistics hub for the Midwest and Gulf Coast. As the construction begins in 2024, stakeholders across the region will watch closely to see how this ambitious expansion shapes the future of grain handling in Texas.