Sweetwater Sound broke ground Wednesday on its expansion at the company’s headquarters along US 30.
Sweetwater President Chuck Surack joined Governor Mitch Daniels, Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry, and Allen County Commissioner Nelson Peters at the event.
Surack says Sweetwater will add more than 300 employees over the next four years, with an eye toward hiring even more if business keeps booming.
Surack says a business model focusing on customer service has kept Sweetwater expanding, but his location in Northeastern Indiana has been key, as well.
“It’s a great climate for business,” Surack said. “It’s also a great climate for families. More than half of our employees we’ve relocated to Indiana from around the country.”
Gov. Daniels said Indiana is on track for a record-breaking year for job commitments across the state, and says keeping taxes down and regulations simple have gone a long way in attracting and keeping businesses in Indiana.
But he says business-friendliness starts with strong communities.
“People do make these decisions, in part, on ‘where am I going to live’ and ‘are my employees going to like it there?’” Daniels said.
Sweetwater’s new 110,000 square foot facility will include warehouse space and room for more marketing and sales staff.
State and local governments reportedly offered Sweetwater more than $7 million in incentives for the expansion.