MGP Ingredients Inc. said Thursday that it would spend $6.6 million on new building projects in Atchison and upgrades for a production center in Onaga.

The Atchison-based company, which makes natural grain-based products, said it would build a new $2.5 million technical center for product development at the southwest corner of Second and Commercial streets in downtown Atchison. A $2.2 million office building will be added to the east.

The projects will open up space in an existing office building for operations and engineering personnel, while laboratory space will be converted into offices for other personnel.

A 23,000-square-foot production center in Onaga, acquired by MGP last month, will get $1.9 million in work to handle production of biodegradable products that are similar to plastics and can be used for disposable cutlery, golf tees and other items, the company said.