New Studio Near Savannah Creates Major Employment Opportunities

Medient Studios, after considering offers from Pittsburgh and New York, executed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the development of a new studio near Savannah, Ga.

There are plans to build a $90 million movie studio in Effingham County, 15 miles outside of Savannah, Ga. The cost includes $10 million for land, $40 million for equipment and $40 million for buildings, according to the Savannah Morning News.

The production and distribution company is headquartered in Hollywood, Calif. and also has presence in India.

The $10 million for land will be received over a 20-year lease but no payment is due for the first two years. Rent for the third year and each subsequent year will cost around $555,555 annually.

According to John Henry, Effingham Industrial Development Authority's CEO, Medient will pay no payments in lieu of taxes or property tax for the 20 years.

"This project truly has the potential to be a game changer for this entire region. We believe that our area will see significant benefit from this project for years to come,” Henry stated in Medient’s press release about the project.

The Medient campus will be built on The Effingham County IDA's Interstate 16 property and will be environmentally friendly. Health care, day care and schooling for employees and their families will be provided.

The studio will strive to reduce the cost of film production with a combination of state approved tax credits, insourcing and technology and equipment efficiencies.

The new studio is expected to create at least 1,000 new permanent jobs. Henry estimates the average salary for these jobs will be around $39,000 annually.

The studio will be on a 1,500-acre site and contain video-production and film.

“The project will be the largest in the US and as much of the site will be open to visitors, it is also expected to become a major tourist destination in the country,” Medient said in the press release.

Films produced by Medient Studios include "Yellow", "Garp" and "Bombil and Beatrice."

The Master Plan is completed and has been submitted to the County for official approval. Construction is expected to begin in summer, 2013.