WAPAKONETA — FlexArm Inc., currently operating at 851 Industrial Drive, Wapakoneta, will break ground on a new, $4 million, 55,000-square-foot corporate office and manufacturing facility at 705 Commerce Drive, Sept. 17, at 10 a.m.

FlexArm, originally known as Midwest Specialties Inc., has been manufacturing industrial tapping and assembly arm equipment in Wapakoneta since the 1970s. It has recently developed a new FlexCNC machine that can mill, drill, tap, countersink, chamfer, bevel and bore components up to 50 feet long. The company is now selling both FlexArm and FlexCNC devices worldwide.

“Our increasing success with both products is the driver for our new facility,” said Nick Kennedy, third-generation owner and president of FlexArm. “We are excited about the opportunity to expand here in Wapakoneta.” The project will retain 35 existing jobs and create 35 new, full-time jobs. Project completion is estimated to be in the spring of 2019.

Wapakoneta Mayor Tom Stinebaugh is pleased that FlexArm has chosen to grow in Wapakoneta.

“We could not be happier about their decision to expand here. It has been their home for more than 40 years, and we are grateful for this new investment in our community,” Stinebaugh said. “Plus, what they plan to build is state-of-the-art and should help them attract great, young workers from the area and that is good for Wapakoneta.”

The groundbreaking ceremony will include comments by Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Urbana, and Stinebaugh. The project site is at the corner of Commerce and Progress Drives in the West Central Ohio Industrial Center.