Sweetwater, an online music instrument retailer, which launched in Fort Wayne in 1979, announced Oct. 2 plans to invest $76.4 million in a headquarters expansion project that will create up to 1,009 new jobs by 2022.
“Sweetwater is a strong, Indiana-built company with a proven track record of recruiting and retaining employees from other states, boasting employees from 48 states and seven countries,” said Gov. Eric Holcomb. “Sweetwater brings a welcome diversity to the industry base in northeast Indiana and is a driving force in the quality of life in Fort Wayne.”
The company’s expansion includes a new, 350,000-square-foot warehousing facility that will provide product storage as well as gear testing, gear photography, offices, staff amenities and customer pickup, according to a statement from the Indiana Economic Development Corp. Additionally, a new 35,000-square-foot structure will house a conference center with room for up to 1,000 people that will accommodate continuing education sessions for employees.
“This new facility will accommodate the tremendous growth we've experienced recently,” said Chuck Surack, founder and president of Sweetwater. “Our sales continue to increase each and every year, which means we need more room to be able to serve our customers in the way to which they're accustomed. We are delighted to be able to continue to expand in Fort Wayne, where it all started.”
Sweetwater plans to break ground on the expansion this month and expects to be operational in the new buildings by summer 2020. The company, which employs more than 1,300 people in Fort Wayne headquarters, plans to hire additional distribution, logistics, sales, marketing, merchandising, programming/IT and various other administrative roles over the next five years to support its growth.
Founded in 1979 in a Volkswagen bus, Sweetwater sells music instruments and audio gear, serving musicians, recording studios, broadcast, education, and houses of worship nationwide.
The Indiana Economic Development Corp. offered Sweetwater up to $8.8 million in conditional tax credits and up to $200,000 in training grants based on the company’s job creation plans. These incentives are performance-based, meaning until people are hired, the company is not eligible to claim incentives.
Northeast Indiana Works also will provide the company with additional hiring and training assistance. The Fort Wayne City Council and Allen County Council will also consider tax phase-ins for Sweetwater's eligible real and personal property (equipment) investments.
