The final beam being lifted into place at Sweetwater on October 7, 2026. Photo courtesy of Sweetwater.
Sweetwater marked a major construction milestone Wednesday as employees and local dignitaries gathered for a topping-off ceremony celebrating the expansion of its distribution center.
Sweetwater news release:
Sweetwater Tops Off $36.7 Million Distribution Center Expansion in Fort Wayne Employees and city officials sign final beam on 170,000-square-foot addition
Fort Wayne, Indiana (October 8, 2026) – Sweetwater marked a major construction milestone Wednesday as employees and local dignitaries gathered for a topping-off ceremony celebrating the expansion of its distribution center.
The ceremony centered on the placement of the final structural steel beam on the approximately 170,000-square-foot addition, which will expand Sweetwater’s existing 524,363-square-foot distribution facility. The addition is part of a $36.7 million investment covering the expansion, and along with US 30–related campus changes and improvements, it’s the latest step in the company’s ongoing commitment to its Fort Wayne campus.
Before the final beam was raised into place, Sweetwater employees, Fort Wayne mayor Sharon Tucker, and other local officials signed it, a construction tradition that honors the people behind the project. Among the last to sign were six of the distribution center’s longest-tenured hourly employees, who together represent more than 115 years of service to Sweetwater: Greg Bowers, Geraldo Lopez, Danny Vachon, Bill Markey, Kyle Wheeler, and Mary MacDonald.
Sweetwater’s chief people and culture officer Jeff Ostermann during the topping out ceremony at Sweetwater on October 7, 2026. Photo courtesy of Sweetwater.
“We are incredibly grateful for the support from the city of Fort Wayne to grow and deepen our commitment to serving millions of customers from right here in Northeast Indiana,” said Jeff Ostermann, Sweetwater’s chief people & culture officer, who served as emcee for the event. “Watching our longest-tenured folks from the distribution center sign the final beam is a very special moment for Sweetwater. Our amazing people are the backbone of our business, and we’re excited to soon be opening up an expanded and improved space that supports both them and our customers even better.”
Fort Wayne Mayor Sharon Tucker signing the final beam at Sweetwater on October 7, 2026. Photo courtesy of Sweetwater.
Tucker welcomed the newly annexed portion of the campus into the city. The project follows a voluntary annexation that brought an additional section of Sweetwater’s campus inside Fort Wayne city limits, including part of the existing distribution center and the ground where the addition is being built. Fort Wayne City Council approved the annexation and expansion of the West Highway 30 Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district earlier this year. The TIF will help fund approximately $6.2 million in public infrastructure improvements, including a new roundabout on Flaugh Road and related road and stormwater work.
“When they reached out to the city and said, ‘Hey, we would like to expand, and we would like to voluntarily annex into the city of Fort Wayne,’ we said ‘absolutely’,” Tucker said. “Anything that we could do to be able to help you grow because we recognize the value of Sweetwater brings to the city of Fort Wayne. They are a part of the reason that we have been named the fastest-growing community in the Midwest.”
Sweetwater plans to hold a formal grand-opening celebration once the expansion and campus enhancements are complete and fully operational, expected in the summer of 2027.
About Sweetwater
The number one online retailer for music makers, Sweetwater is trusted and beloved by millions of musicians, audio engineers, teachers, band and orchestra directors, and podcasters who rely on the company to help advance their musical and creative journeys. From beginners to rock stars, music makers everywhere seek out Sweetwater’s industry-leading expertise, including in-depth product videos to inform their purchases and unrivaled post-care support. Headquartered in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and founded in 1979, Sweetwater Sound, LLC credits its four decades of growth to its 2,500 employees and its deep understanding of the profound connection that music makers have with their craft, their gear, and the creative process. Sweetwater is amplifying change through music and lifting up communities by creating, empowering, and caring about the music makers of tomorrow and today. For more information, visit Sweetwater.com.
