It is being billed as the first of its kind in the world. And it is coming to south Fulton County. A sweeping project sponsored by the Africa Heritage Foundation, Inc. will feature a variety of economic, educational and nation-specific venues across portions south Fulton. The five-year project beginning in fall 2009 will contain multiple sites and venues constructed at a cost of $4-10 billion and provide a minimum of 10,000 jobs.

The African Village Project will represent the African continent and its 54 nations on a site totaling more than 500 acres in locations across south Fulton, said Commissioner Bill Edwards. The intent of the multi-functional state-of-the-art facility will be to promote and showcase international tourism, global trade and cultural education. With each nation allowed up to 10 acres to replicate their country, the project will provide the opportunity to develop creative reciprocal trade, commerce, cultural exchange and skills and technology transfer with other nations.

Among the elements to be included in the extensive project are a World Games Village and Amusement Park, International Regional Visitor’s Center, World Expo, Consular and Protocol Resource Center along with an education research center, vocational center, theater and convention center, world news and media center, museum and galleries.

“This project is exciting for south Fulton in so many ways. It’s a wonderful thing and we’re glad to have it,” Edwards said. “This is an opportunity to understand other societies and protocols and an opportunity to understand Africa.”

The facility will showcase the nations of Africa, Edwards said, and will be the first of its kind in the world. Selection of the lead architectural firm will be announced Oct. 27 at the U.S./Africa Economic Development Conference at Georgia International Convention Center (GICC). With some of the conceptual site plans available at the end of 2007 and the final site selection expected to be finalized in spring 2008, project construction is anticipated to begin in fall 2009 and continue over a five-year period. At its completion, the African Village Project will represent a $4-10 billion investment and is expected to create at least 10,000 jobs.

Representing the Development Authority of Fulton County, executive director Dr. C. Clayton Powell noted the upcoming conference at GICC, citing the impact of the far-reaching project and its inclusion in the historically overlooked landscape of south Fulton County.

“We are very happy about this. That’s why the development authority is a supporter and sponsor,” said Powell. “This can be a great avenue for south Fulton to become a noted area. The Development Authority of Fulton County has been working to change the view towards south Fulton. I believe this will be a beginning.”

The African Heritage Foundation was established in Atlanta after the 1996 Olympics. Competitors for the African Village Project included China and other cities in the United States, such as Orlando, New York, Washington, D.C. and Atlanta.

“This is an exciting effort for south Fulton in light of everything we’ve gone through in the past several months,” Edwards said. “We here in south Fulton feel like we’re a phoenix rising from the ashes.”