Atlanta Film Studios (Funded by County Tax Payers) up For Sale - Losing Money (Hiram: appointed)

[LynnHarris]

I hope this situation is due to poor management or location, and that closer-in metro-area film studios will fare better.


"A film studio which failed to live up to the promises of Paulding County leaders is now up for sale.

Blake Swafford, director of the Paulding County Industrial Building Authority told CBS46 News that the Atlanta Film Studios in Hiram is being marketed to private companies, three years after opening.

But promises of hundreds of jobs for residents didn't materialize and the studio lost money the first two years. The studio directly created one job, although Swafford points out it has had a positive impact on surrounding hotels, restaurants and other businesses.

County Commissioner Todd Pownell, who opposed putting taxpayers on the hook for the construction of the studio, said he supports the sale as long as it sells for enough to cover any costs to taxpayers..."

Full Story: Government-built film studio goes up for sale - CBS46 News

[Ha-Mez]

Interesting when taken with the news that Pinewood in Fayette is expanding.

[joey86]

Only being able to hire one person makes it sound like they were doomed from the start.

[joey86]

This reminds me of Medient down in Chatham. The politicians deciding to help these companies should have known they were bad investments.

[Tryska]

But promises of hundreds of jobs for residents didn't materialize and the studio lost money the first two years. The studio directly created one job, although Swafford points out it has had a positive impact on surrounding hotels, restaurants and other businesses.
Swafford denied the sale is the result of losses and said the studio is now almost fully booked and running in the "black."

Sounds like the Industrial Authority got in the business of managing a studio, but didn't know exactly what that meant.

As it stands, I don't think studios themselves create a large number of jobs - but it's the people who use the studios who are the job creators. Unfortunately they usually bring their own employees with them.

I would be curious what the IDA's initial thinking was in regards to this however. And what their makeup is, and their history.

IDA boards are typically appointed positions, and citizens making the decisions are often pushed into making bad decisions either by the consultants they engage, or the politicians who appointed them.

[HH82]

I used to work right up the street from that studio. The location is terrible, and it's only got the two soundstages as it is. I feel like it must be near impossible to find for anybody from out of town driving up from the airport. Just a bad idea all around.