ASHBURN, Va. (FNN Media) — The Washington Redskins are moving training camp to Richmond beginning in 2013, Va. Governor Bob McDonnell announced Wednesday.
The search for a specific location that can meet the Redskins needs for camp is ongoing.
“The Washington Redskins bringing their summer training camp to Richmond is beyond exciting, said Richmond Mayor Dwight Jones. “This will have a great economic impact for Richmond and the region! I thank the owners and senior executives of the Redskins for their ongoing work with us to determine the right facilities to meet the team’s needs. I thank Governor McDonnell for his leadership. Hail to the Redskins!”
The team will continue to be be headquartered at Redskins Park in Ashburn. In addition, a release from the Governor’s office notes the team will continue to expand and improve the facility.
Construction on an enclosed practice bubble aimed at minimizing the impact of inclement weather on players was recently completed at the complex.
The economic impact the move will have on the Richmond area is expected to be significant. Redskins Park is visited by 20,000 individuals a year who spend approximately $3.4 million on goods and services during their visits according to the release.
The Redskins, directly and indirectly, support roughly 1,832 jobs in Virginia. In addition, the team generates nearly $200 million in economic activity in the state. Nearly $10 million in tax revenue is generated from player salaries alone.
Currently, the franchise headquarters in Loudoun County provides roughly $2.2 million in state and local tax revenue, which does not include the corporate income tax paid by the team.
The team last held training camp outside of Ashburn when they returned to Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania for two seasons in 2001-02. The team previously held camp at that location for 31 seasons from 1963-94.
In between stints in Carlisle, the held camp at Frostburg State in Frostburg, Md. from 1995-99.
