Ground “Blessing” Scheduled for May 25, 2008
LAUDERHILL – Broward County and The Gospel Music Industry will make history in May as the industry converges for the “Ground Blessing” of The Gospel Complex for Education & Preservation. This celebration comes after two years of strategic planning with leaders of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Gospel Music Industry.
“Not only will Gospel Music have a permanent home in South Florida to showcase the rich history of this truly American music genre, but the location of The Gospel Complex in the City of Lauderhill will provide the state with economic opportunities through tourism and educational programs,” said Broward County Commissioner Josephus Eggelletion, Jr.
The Ground Blessing Ceremony for The Gospel Complex for Education & Preservation is scheduled for May 25, 2008, at 3 p.m. at the northwest corner of Sunrise Boulevard and SR7/441 with a scheduled completion date of late 2010.
Members of the Office of Trade, Tourism & Economic Development, Enterprise Florida, VISIT FLORIDA, the Florida Legislative Black Caucus, and Broward County/Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau have shown great interest and support of the development of The Gospel Complex for Education & Preservation because of the potential economic opportunities that the project will have on the state and the community that it will serve.
Florida State Senator Tony Hill of Jacksonville, Fla., has taken a leadership role working with the Florida Black Legislative Caucus on the development of the project. Senator Hill stated that “while the project is not in my district, the economic impact the Gospel Complex would have on the State made it a project that the Legislative Black Caucus wanted to embrace and support.”
The hard work and dedication has finally paid off. “We can now start the celebration, as our key leaders and organizations will continue to work together to make this project a reality for Florida,” said Nicki Grossman, President of the Greater Fort Lauderdale CVB and current Chair of Visit Florida. “We anticipate that this project will follow in the footsteps of the development of the Country Music Hall of Fame which has spearheaded the $6.5 billion dollar industry in Nashville, Tenn. Our office has already been able to book conferences and conventions in anticipation of the Gospel Complex coming to our destination.”
“This project fits perfectly with Broward County’s emphasis on the growing Film and Entertainment Industry. We feel that this project will be a catalyst in the development of the Film and Entertainment industry,” Eggelletion said. “Broward County is honored to be the future home for this important venue for the state and the industry.”
“This enterprise provides the perfect platform for the redevelopment and revitalization of the State Road 7 corridor,” said Master Developer George Rahael of Amera Corporation.
