Lawmakers Defend Football Hall of Fame

(WSB Radio State Capitol Bureau) -- As state lawmakers continue to grapple with a budget for next year, some are defending a $10 million investment by the state for the College Football Hall of Fame that's headed to Atlanta.

The money is part of a $50 million deal to build a 50,000 square foot facility at Centennial Olympic Park scheduled to be completed by 2012.

"This is really no different than an economic development project like with KIA or somebody else...the state is putting in a portion of the money up front, most of the money is going to be raised through private contributions," says Rep. Butch Parrish (R-Swainsboro).

He says the state will more than make up the money through the sales tax generated by the estimated 400,000 visitors to the facility a year.

"I know these are tough economic times for all of us...but we can't just close up the state, there's certain things we've got to do," says Parrish.

He emphasizes that the state will have no further financial obligation to the facility after its initial investment.