Sweet Street Desserts, a premier gourmet dessert manufacturer headquartered in Reading, PA, has long been recognized for its innovative and high-quality products. Serving leading foodservice establishments across more than 60 countries, Sweet Street is synonymous with exceptional desserts. Voted consistently as a top food service supplier, the company’s commitment to quality and innovation is evident in every aspect of its operations.
This dedication extends beyond dessert creation to community investment, exemplified by Sweet Street’s strategic purchase and revitalization of a vacant bakery in Greenville County. This project not only expanded Sweet Street’s manufacturing capabilities but also breathed new life into a dormant facility and the surrounding community.
Alt text: Exterior view of Sweet Street Desserts manufacturing plant in Greenville, SC, showcasing the renovated facility.
The Greenville County facility, previously a Sara Lee Corporation bakery that closed in 2009, presented a significant opportunity. Sweet Street undertook a comprehensive renovation of the 120,000 square foot building, transforming it into a state-of-the-art plant equipped for diverse baking processes. This revitalization project injected new machinery, equipment, and, most importantly, jobs into an area that had experienced significant economic hardship due to the previous plant closure.
Alt text: Inside Sweet Street Desserts factory, showcasing a modern dessert production line with employees working on gourmet dessert creation.
The closure of the Sara Lee plant had resulted in job losses and displacement for approximately 200 employees. Recognizing the local talent pool and the community’s need, Sweet Street made a conscious effort to re-employ former Sara Lee workers. Notably, they hired the former Sara Lee plant manager to lead the Greenville facility, demonstrating their commitment to leveraging local expertise and providing opportunities to those affected by the previous closure.
Community Impact and Job Creation
The Sweet Street Desserts project in Greenville County has had a profound and positive community impact, primarily through significant job creation. The project directly supported 271 jobs, including 100 permanent positions and 171 construction roles during the renovation phase. These permanent jobs offer wages averaging 189% higher than the local per capita income, representing a substantial improvement in the financial well-being of employees and their families.
Beyond competitive wages, Sweet Street provides comprehensive employee benefits packages, including health and dental insurance, disability and life insurance, profit sharing, 401K plans, and paid vacation time. Furthermore, the company is invested in employee growth, offering job training and advancement opportunities, including financial assistance for education related to current roles or career progression within Sweet Street. ReadySC, a division of the SC Technical College System, collaborates with Sweet Street to provide recruitment and training support, ensuring a skilled and prepared workforce.
Alt text: Employees participating in Sweet Street Desserts’ apprenticeship program, receiving hands-on training in dessert manufacturing skills.
To further enhance job accessibility for local residents and promote career advancement, Sweet Street partnered with Apprenticeship Carolina™ and Greenville Technical College to establish a no-cost registered apprenticeship program. This program features nine distinct apprenticeship tracks, each certified by the U.S. Department of Labor and integrated with the SC Technical College System. These apprenticeship tracks will be maintained throughout the seven-year compliance period of the project, ensuring long-term workforce development and community benefit.
Project Financials and Key Partners
The total project cost for Sweet Street Desserts’ Greenville expansion amounted to $61,700,000, with a New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) allocation of $10,000,000. Financing for the project was completed in May 2015. Key partners in this impactful project include:
- Project Sponsor: Sweet Street Desserts, Inc.
- CDEs (Community Development Entities): The Innovate Fund
- NMTC Investor: Capital One, N.A.
- Leveraged Lender: Sweet Street Desserts, Inc.
The project is located at 1916 Piedmont Highway in Greenville, SC, within Census Tract 45045002003, a designated Low-Income Community characterized by a 29.6% poverty rate, a median family income at 64.2% of the area median, and a 19.8% unemployment rate. The unemployment ratio is 2.5 times the national average, and the area is recognized as an ARC Distressed Area and a State/Local Economic Zone.
Alt text: A selection of Sweet Street Desserts’ gourmet desserts, showcasing the variety and quality of products manufactured in Reading, PA and Greenville, SC.
Conclusion: A Sweet Success for Community and Business
Sweet Street Desserts’ expansion project in Greenville County represents a significant success story, demonstrating how strategic business growth can drive substantial community revitalization. By investing in a Low-Income Community, Sweet Street not only expanded its manufacturing footprint but also created hundreds of jobs, offered valuable training and career pathways, and injected economic vitality into an area in need. From its Reading, PA headquarters to its Greenville, SC facility, Sweet Street Desserts continues to exemplify excellence in both gourmet dessert manufacturing and corporate social responsibility.
