CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Rev. Billy Graham is on the move, taking his ministry headquarters and 400 employees from Minneapolis to his hometown of Charlotte, N.C.
"This move to Charlotte anchors us firmly to our roots," the 83-year-old evangelist said after breaking ground for offices and a museum. The ministry has been headquartered in Minneapolis for more than 50 years, according to The Associated Press.
The new Billy Graham Evangelistic Association's international headquarters will be constructed on 63 acres off the Billy Graham Parkway near Charlotte's airport. A museum and library will be dedicated to Graham and the history of evangelism; they are expected to attract 200,000 visitors annually. The report did not mention costs associated with the move, though the city of Charlotte has agreed to pay $325,000 for road improvements and utilities.
The move should be complete by mid-2004, according to the AP.
