LAS VEGAS >> MGM Resorts says it finished the first phase of expansion at its Mandalay Bay convention center that added another 350,000 square-feet of space to the venue.

The casino company said Wednesday that when the entire expansion is finished in January the convention center will have more than 2 million square feet of space including more than 900,000 square feet of exhibit space. The expansion is costing the company $70 million.

The company says construction on the first phase began last October.

The casino-resort is also renovating its hotel rooms.

The expansion comes as the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority is working to expand the Las Vegas Convention Center to the Strip from 3.1 million square feet of space to 5 million square feet.