WILLISTON (AP) - A plant that processes peas, lentils and chickpeas here has been sold to a Canadian company.

The City Commission made the announcement on Tuesday after approving a $100,000 loan buydown package for Regina, Saskatchewan-based United Pulse Trading, Inc.

The company, a subsidiary of Saskcan Pulse Trading, said it will expand the former Missouri River Ag Processing facility.

Terms of the sale were not disclosed.

"We are buying 100 percent of the operation here in Williston," said Murad Al-Katib, Saskcan Pulse Trading Inc.'s chief executive.

"We'll create 20 jobs here," Al-Katib said.

The company has been in business for 66 years, and the Williston company will be its fourth venture in North America, Al-Katib said.

"We are the largest exporter in the world of lentils," he said.

The Williston facility will process peas, lentils and chickpeas, and plans to mill durum wheat, Al-Katib said.

Pulse crop acreage should grow in North Dakota with his company's acquisition of the Williston plant, he said.

North Dakota produces almost three-fourths of the nation's dry pea crop.

"We have to be where the origin of the product is. Growers are here, and we need to process at the origin," Al-Katib said.

"It's been our business plan all over the world. It was important to locate here."

The plant expansion should be completed in September, Al-Katib said.