Roanoke, VA-based printer and converter of folding cartons Arkay Packaging Corp. broke ground last month on a 62,000-sq-ft, $4.5-million expansion, essentially doubling the size of its Botetourt County facility.

“In this challenging economic time, we are proud and excited to be growing in Virginia,” says Arkay chairman and chief executive office Mitchell Kaneff. “This expansion project will allow us to enhance our manufacturing and distribution operations to more effectively accommodate our valued customers.”

Arkay's client base includes Chanel, Coty, Elizabeth Arden, Estee Lauder, Johnson & Johnson, Mary Kay, and Procter and Gamble.

The expansion and capital expenditure in additional equipment is expected to create job opportunities for the area in the near future. Construction completion is expected in October 2008. Approximately 170 people currently are employed at Arkay.