POST FALLS - The Post Falls City Council on Tuesday night approved three proposals related to the expansion of a mining equipment manufacturing firm between Post Falls and Coeur d'Alene.

Ground Force Manufacturing purchased the former Knife River property across Seltice Way from its plant to launch UnderGround Force, which will manufacture equipment for underground mining companies.

The council approved:

* an annexation request of 24 acres north of Seltice and south of the Port of Entry along Interstate 90;

* amending the city's future land-use map for the area from commercial/light industrial to solely industrial; and

* the application of a $495,000 Idaho Community Development Block Grant that would extend water and sewer to the site and for frontage improvements.

The expansion is expected to employ about 125 people over the next two years, CEO Ron Nilson said.

Construction on a new building at the site is expected to start later this year.