Ricotta and mozzarella cheese processorMiceli Dairy Productsexpects by mid-2012 to complete the first phase of a $16 million to $20 million expansion to its Cleveland plant, according toThe (Cleveland) Plain Dealer.

CEO Joe Miceli told the paper his company will break ground this summer for an expansion with new equipment to double ricotta cheese production. Miceli said he also hopes to buy another 12.6 acres nearby to build a mozzarella and provolone factory, a bio-digester and waste treatment facility.

The Plain Dealersaid Miceli Dairy Products currently produces about 8,000 pounds of ricotta every hour with whey, milk and cream. It also makes 70,000 pounds of shredded mozzarella a day.