New Stadium to generate $400 million for state-wide economics

By Jannah Bolds

With the nation’s economy in recovery, Atlanta Georgia plans to boost state-wide economics with construction of its newest rendition of The Georgia Dome. 
The Peach State’s new $1.4 billion investment is projected to create over 4,500 employment opportunities, have a state-wide impact of more than $400 million, and will take nearly three years to complete.

“Invest Atlanta, along with the Arthur Blank Foundation will both commit $15 million to benefit surrounding areas including Vine City, English Avenue, Castleberry Hill, and other adjacent areas,” said Courtney Knight Invest Atlanta’s Managing Director of Redevelopment.

“Invest Atlanta’s contribution will come from the Westside Tax Allocation District (TAD),” Knight added.

Along with currently staffed employees, the new stadium will require more staff members due to its size, newer facilities, and state-of-the-art technologies backed by IBM.

Outside of the facility while construction is still brewing, the new stadium currently has 4,500 construction employees working to complete their task.

“We have joined with the Arthur Blank Foundation to create ‘Westside Works’. It is an organization that provides job training for individuals in surrounding communities,” said Knight.

Thus far, the organization has trained and employed over 4,000 local individuals and provided them with enough training for employment outside their current project.

“What we are trying to do is put a stake in the ground for the active development of the most challenging part of the city of Atlanta,” said Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed after an ACP meeting.  

The city of Atlanta will not only have a new home for their National Football League team, the Atlanta Falcons, but will also have room for S.E.C. football, larger concerts, and Atlanta’s new Major League Soccer team. The dome will also feature large floor-to-ceiling windows facing the city skyline and a retractable roof to accommodate weather conditions.

“This will be a world-class entertainment center that can be used year around since it’s a closed facility,” said Knight.

Atlanta’s new dome is scheduled for completion in Spring 2017 and be ready for its first NFL kickoff that fall.