FAYETTE COUNTY, Ga. — U.S. Soccer broke ground Monday on the new national training center and organizational headquarters in Fayette County.
Officials announced last year metro Atlanta as the new home of U.S. Soccer. The groundbreaking ceremony happened 11 a.m. Monday. Those in attendance included Gov. Brian Kemp, Falcons and Atlanta United owner Arthur M. Blank, U.S. Soccer CEO JT Batson and U.S. Soccer President Cindy Parlow.
Kemp said this facility will continue to solidify Georgia's place in the sports world.
"Sports are an integral part of the culture here in our state," he said.
The facility will transform what is now empty fields of trees and grass into a 200-acre complex that will cost about $200 million to build.
“These facilities will provide our athletes with what they need to compete at the highest level while pouring into the next generation of stars," added Kemp.
During Monday's ceremony, it was also announced that the center would named after Author M. Blank, whose donating $50 million to the construction of the facility. The Falcons and United owner explained that he never personally played soccer, but formed a fond relationship with the sport after watching his son play.
"I was a football, baseball, track athlete in high school. But I saw firsthand one of the things that makes this sport so beautiful, it's the development of live skills and character," said Blank.
Officials said the Trilith area of Fayette County was selected due to the "proximity and accessibility to a major international airport, optimal climate for year-round use, viable site infrastructure and support from a diverse, growing community with the opportunity to drive economic impact locally."
U.S. Soccer said the facility will bring with it more than 400 new jobs and they hope to have it completed by the time Atlanta hosts the World Cup in 2026.
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