SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Work has begun to update equipment at a northern Indiana ethanol plant that was the state’s first large-scale facility when it opened in 1984 and appeared headed to the scrap heap a year ago.

Kansas-based ICM Inc. started to retrofit the facility in southwest South Bend last week, The South Bend Tribune reported Sunday. ICM’s affiliate, Energy Management Solutions, will operate the plant when it starts making ethanol again, which is expected in May.