Greater Fort Wayne Inc. Outlines Sweetwater's Growth Plans

The following is the text from an announcement by Greater Fort Wayne Inc. about Sweetwater's current expansion and plans for future growth.

Leading Music Technology Retailer Expands Once Again
Fort Wayne, Ind. - Sweetwater, the number one online retailer of music instruments and audio gear in the U.S., today announced plans to expand, creating approximately 285 new jobs by 2018. The expansions and renovations contemplated will be in addition to three expansion projects completed since June of 2014. Sweetwater expects total full-time employees to grow to more than 1,000 by the end of 2018.
Founded in Fort Wayne in 1979, the company plans to invest $8.8 million to make additions and renovations to its current 320,000 square foot Fort Wayne campus at 5501 US Hwy 30 W.
The first of several expansions in the planning stage is a 16,000 square foot building to house Sweetwater's marketing and merchandizing departments, including a state-of-the-art video studio. Construction will begin this fall and hiring is ongoing, with salaries above local and state averages.
Sweetwater founder and president Chuck Surack commented, "Sweetwater continues to grow at a remarkable pace, both in sales and in number of employees. In 2014, sales were up by 28% over the previous year, and we anticipate similar results for 2015. New expansion of our campus will build our capacity to ensure that we remain the country's most respected dealer in instruments and high-technology equipment for musicians, recording studios and broadcasters."
Through the efforts of Greater Fort Wayne Inc., Sweetwater will be receiving an incentive package, valued at $3,117,089, from the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, Northeast Indiana Works, and the City of Fort Wayne. The package includes a 10-year abatement from Fort Wayne of real property taxes and a 10-year abatement of personal property taxes (equipment), an EDGE grant from the IEDC, and grants from Northeast Indiana Works Services and the Skills Enhancement Fund of the IEDC.

About SweetwaterSound
Founded in 1979,Sweetwater is the nation's leading retailer in instruments and pro audio equipment for musicians, recording studios, broadcast, education, and houses of worship.Sweetwater's customers can be found everywhere music is heard and audio is played,broadcast, or recorded, including recording, film, and broadcast studios in New York,Nashville, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Miami; in hundreds of thousands of home recording studios; and in schools and churches nationwide. Sweetwater's founding and meteoric growth are built on a knowledgeable and experienced staff, outstanding selection and pricing, and above all, an unwavering commitment to customer service excellence in every situation. For further information, visit Sweetwater.com.

About Greater Fort Wayne Inc.
Greater Fort Wayne (GFW) Inc. serves Fort Wayne and Allen County, Indiana, as its metro-chamber alliance and primary point of contact for economic growth. GFW Inc. focuses on prosperity and community vibrancy through economic development, advocacy, programs and resources that support business success, leadership development, graduate retention and community engagement. To learn more, visit www.GreaterFortWayneInc.com.

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