Why Georgia? Here are 10 ways the TV and movie industry benefit the Peach State.
It’s no secret that Georgia is a beloved film location, but why?
According to Georgia.org, the Peach State has decent weather (other than miserably hot summers), the busiest airport in the world and plenty of spacious studio locations. In fact, Georgia has more than four million square feet of stage space.
So, other than giving us entertainment, what else does the film industry do for the state?
A lot, actually.
In 2021 alone, the film industry in Georgia broke records with $4 billion in direct spending by making more than 365 productions.
But it doesn’t stop there. Here are 10 ways the film industry benefits Georgia:
Jobs
Thousands of people are employed — from electricians, stage crew, artists, lighting designers and more — just to keep up with the booming film industry in Georgia. If you are looking for a job, look no further because the film industry in Georgia isn’t slowing down.
Small businesses
The film industry uses small businesses to get various projects done. Small businesses that specialize in construction, landscaping and hardware are especially useful to the industry.
“In addition to providing production jobs that range across a variety of skills from accounting to carpentry to engineering and graphic design, productions are using local vendors, eating at Georgia restaurants, and staying in our hotels,” said Gov. Brian Kemp in a 2022 news release.
The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) spends an average of $690 million annually when filming in Georgia. In recent years, the money was spent at more than 11,000 vendors in the state.
Hotel revenue
According to the Georgia Film website, just one movie can create more than 25,000 room stays. That’s a lot of cash flow to Georgia hotels.
Local revenue
Money spent on permitting benefits local communities where filming is taking place.
Real estate
Filming locations are in high demand, so studio spaces and other commercial spots are prime real estate. Even office spaces for sale can be turned around for filming.
Film tourism
Fans will travel near and far to see their favorite character’s world. From the mall in “Stranger Things” to the zombie prison in “The Walking Dead,” it’s all good fun. However, it also brings in money to local communities surrounding the locations.
Support a creative workforce
Creatives, unite. With the film industry in Georgia, there are tons of opportunities for creative courses like film production, writing, media and acting. That way, the industry is taught and employed in Georgia.
Lower income taxes
The state offers production companies tax credits for filming in Georgia, according to accounting firm Frazier & Deeter. When the companies can’t use all of the credits, they are allowed to sell them to individual taxpayers as part of financing their project.
According to the Georgia film industry website, “Anyone who pays Georgia income tax can lower the amount of state taxes they owe by buying film tax credits to use dollar for dollar against their tax liability.”
Think of the credits as investments. You buy credits to cover the amount of state taxes you owe and save money in the process. If each credit is sold for 88 cents, you save 12 cents for each dollar you invest. At that rate, a $20,000 investment could save you $2,400.
Georgia in the spotlight
There’s nothing like seeing the streets, sights and scenes of Georgia on the big screen, but it’s even better knowing current films are made locally or even in your own backyard.
Support the arts
Filming in Georgia benefits the arts because it brings more opportunities to dancers, musicians, artists and more.
What is your favorite way the film industry benefits our state? Comment below to let me know.
This story was originally published September 1, 2023 at 7:00 AM with the headline "Why Georgia? Here are 10 ways the TV and movie industry benefit the Peach State.."
