It’s no mystery that the television and film industry is booming in Senoia and Fayetteville. Raleigh-Riverwood Studios President Scott Tigchelaar shared his thoughts on the industry’s local impact at the annual South Metro Development Outlook Conference held Feb. 18 at the Georgia International Convention Center in College Park.
Tigchelaar was one of several panel members participating in the “South Metro’s Thriving Film Industry” portion of the conference.
Tigchelaar began his comments noting the economic impact of the film and television industry on local communities.
Senoia over the past years has benefitted from having Riverwood Studios, now Raleigh Studios-Atlanta, as a member of the Senoia community. The city has been the site of numerous movies spanning many years, though having significant portions of the city involved in the top-rated “The Walking Dead” television show has only served to expand the economic impact previously seen.
It was back in 2007 that Senoia had only seven businesses open in the small downtown area. By 2013, that number had swelled to 50 businesses with a waiting list of others wanting to locate there. That represents a 700 percent increase during the time of the Great Recession.
Since that time, and with the continued presence of The Walking Dead production, Senoia continues to benefit economically. Tigchelaar said additional retail expansion and residential lofts are about to be constructed downtown.
A portion of the development, at the Gin Property residential development on the south side of downtown, is being affected. The “Walking Dead Wall” has been constructed around a large portion of the Gin Property and will function as the main set for the for the next couple of years, Tigchelaar said.
Commenting on another facet of economic development, Tigchelaar said, “People from all over the world are coming to Georgia (and to Senoia) to see where ‘The Walking Dead’ is filmed.”
It is the positive impact of tourism has a ripple effect on areas businesses, Tigchelaar emphasized. And while the impact may benefit some businesses more than others, “all businesses benefit from people coming to work and visit.”
Adding to that perspective, Tigchelaar noted the changing economic climate across the south metro Atlanta region. It is one which could significantly benefit the entire region in ways yet unseen.
“The south side is becoming the nucleus for studios, which attracts support industries,” Tigchelaar said.
