A Little Rock-based international tae kwon do group that's one of the largest martial arts organizations in the world broke ceremonial ground Wednesday on a new world headquarters near downtown.
Officials from, ATA International, which was formerly called the American Taekwondo Association, joined officials including Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, Little Rock Mayor Mark Stodola and Arkansas Economic Development Commission Executive Director Mike Preston to celebrate the forthcoming construction at 1800 Riverfront Drive in Riverdale.
ATA International Chairman Sun C. Lee told a crowd gathered at the site that the world headquarters in Little Rock fulfills a dream the organization's founder, H.U. Lee, began working toward 20 years ago. She said the new facility, which will include a training center, will "draw martial arts masters to Little Rock from all corners of the globe."
Hutchinson lauded the group for drawing economic investment to Arkansas — its annual ATA World Championships in Little Rock stands as the state's largest convention each year — and he said the new facility will be another piece of positive information to share on trade missions.
"As governor, it's a big deal when you have a world headquarters in your state," Hutchinson said. "It's bragging rights."
The 45,300-square foot facility, which will also include a museum about the group's history, is set to open in August 2016.
