Movies Coming to Michigan

2/3/2009

Tools

Story Published: Feb 4, 2009 at 12:20 PM EDT

Story Updated: Feb 4, 2009 at 12:20 PM EDT

Now, the good news. How making movies in Michigan, will make this area's economic "picture" alot brighter. Granholm announced that Oakland County is the site for a new motion picture studio. As My TV20's Dave Leval reports-- it will not only bring stars to Michigan, but also thousands of jobs.

Multimedia

Watch The Video

There's plenty on the menu at Pontiac's Country Kitchen Restaurant. Regulars wait to sink their teeth into what's cooking, just not as many as there used to be here.

Dominic Saltarelli/Owner, Country Kitchen
"Since 911, been down 30%. GM's leaving, other businesses, uh, leaving the area."

But, empployees may soon be doing a lot more cooking. It's thanks to some neighbors expected to move in just a couple of blocks away, at GM's former Centerpoint truck plant and office complex.

This complex will become home to Motown Motion Pictures Studio. It's a $54 million project that is the first of its kind for Michigan. More importantly, 3,500 people will work here.

Eric Roberts filmed his latest movie "Intent" in Livonia back in December. It's one of 37 movies filmed in Michigan last year. Twice as many movies are expected to be filmed in our state this year thanks to the state's Film Tax Incentives Program.

The new studio is also expected to create another 1,600 indirect jobs. Those are people who support the new complex, such as restaurant workers.

Saltarelli
"I welcome them with open arms, happy to see it."

Dominic Saltarelli is not the only one. Rick Koppal owns a catering business in the area.

Rick Koppal/"Downhome Catering"
"I'm optimistic and hopeful things are going to turn around for us in Michigan."

By brining the bright lights of Hollywood to the Great Lakes State. In Pontiac, Dave Leval, My TV 20 News at 10.

Negotiations are underway to sell theGM property for the project. Construction could begin this summer. It will be operated by the independent production firm, Raleigh Studios. Pontiac's the first city in Michigan to get a major film studio.

The governor also announced another big movie project. Detroit Center Studios will produce computer-generated visual effects and animated content. It plans to invest nearly 86 million to create a digital pipeline in downtown Detroit. The project is expected to create 700 new jobs.

Plans continue tonight for another area studio. Allen Park Mayor Gary Burtka unveiled plans for a studio last month. It would be built on land where city hall sits, and then a new one would be built. It's expected to create 35 hundred permanent jobs, and 15 hundred temporary ones. The mayor hopes to announce a deal next month.

Next article Top Stories

More Good Stuff

This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.