The Georgia Economic Developers Association (GEDA) on Monday presented Pinewood Atlanta Studios and the Fayette County Development Authority (FCDA) with the 2013 Deal of the Year Award in the “Large Community” category.
Gov. Nathan Deal was on hand to recognize company and community representatives at GEDA’s Annual Awards Ceremony held at the Macon Marriott City Center.
Pinewood Atlanta Studios is committed to creating a multi-million dollar film studio complex over the next seven years, which will eventually be able to house numerous feature film, television and commercial productions per year, according to the news release.
Phase one of the project is currently under construction and will include five state-of-the-art soundstages as well as workshops and production offices. It is projected to open in January, said FCDA CEO Matt Forshee.
In a release by the company, Ivan Dunleavy, CEO of the UK-based Pinewood Shepperton said, “We would like to thank the Georgia Economic Developers Association for the faith it has shown in Pinewood and for this award. The support this project has received from the business community, government and local residents has been overwhelming and we want to return the favor. We believe Pinewood Atlanta Studios will help deliver strong growth not only for our company but for the local community and look forward to the first production coming in next year.”
On hand to accept the award were Brian Cooper, Vice President of Operations for Pinewood Atlanta Studios, as well as representatives from the Fayette County Development Authority, Fayette County Board of Commissioners, City of Fayetteville and Peachtree City development firm Group VI.
“This is an incredible honor for Fayette County and for the entire team that is responsible for the location and development of Pinewood AtlantaStudios in Fayette County. Thanks to Pinewood for making Fayette County the epicenter for film in Georgia,” Forshee said. “This project would not have happened without the leadership of Jim Pace with the Group VI and Len Gough and Rick Halbert with ProMaker Development Group. Additionally, the way our local governments of Fayette County and the City of Fayetteville have worked expeditiously to move this project forward in lock step with Pinewood Studios is nothing short of amazing.”
Forshee said Fayette County is already the studio home to the Sony Pictures television show “Drop Dead Diva,” which films in five soundstages in Peachtree City and is broadcast on the Lifetime television network. Additional television and motion picture productions wholly or partial filmed in Fayette County include “Fried Green Tomatoes,” “Sweet Home Alabama,” “What To Expect When You’re Expecting,” “The Walking Dead,” and the upcoming productions “Resurrection,” “The Surgeon General,” “Line of Sight,” and a remake of “Endless Love”.
Forshee said this is the FCDA’s second Deal of the Year award, having also won in 2009 in the Regional category, which they co-won with Gwinnett County and Columbus for the NCR headquarters, manufacturing and customer service center of excellence project.
GEDA awards “Deals of the Year” in various categories annually to celebrate collaboration and job-generating accomplishments of its members. Celebrating its 50th anniversary, the non-profit association is made up of professionals, volunteers and supporters. The association provides networking and professional development opportunities for its members, and supports public policies that promote quality job creation and sustainable economic development throughout the state. For more information, visit www.geda.org.
The Fayette County Development Authority is the lead economic development entity for Fayette County, Georgia. FCDA focuses on recruitment, retention and expansion of major industry and corporate office operations as well as workforce issues, primarily in the cities of Fayetteville, Peachtree City and Tyrone. For more information, visit www.fayettega.org.
In the photo above, the group from Fayette County and Pinewood Atlanta Studios accepts the Deal of the Year award from Governor Nathan Deal. Pictured (l-r) Chuck Oddo, Hollis Harris, John Woody, Virginia Gibbs, Phil Smelley, David Deeter, David Barlow, Gov. Nathan Deal, Paul Oddo, Randy Hayes, Jim Pace, Brian Cooper, Steve Brown, Brian Wismer, Emily Poole, Greg Clifton. Photo/Special.
