The latest city to roll out the red carpet for Hollywood is none other than Canyon, Texas. Governor Greg Abbott has officially given the city its "Film Friendly Texas Certified Community" status, joining over 175 other locales within the state that are geared up to welcome the arts. Abbott noted that this new designation would assist Canyon in matching "local businesses with production-related needs," which translates to job creation for both the film crew and the residents, as well as a boost for local business' income, according to the Governor's Office.
It's not just all about the glitz and glamour. The move is expected to also bring practical benefits. By becoming part of the Film Friendly Texas program, Canyon has committed to engage in ongoing training to maintain industry standards and to nimbly accommodate film projects. As per a statement released by Abbott's office, the idea is to prepare communities like Canyon to help create jobs and to support local job creation through media production.
Rep. John Smithee spoke out in favor of the certification, stating that Canyon's film-friendly status would be beneficial for community initiatives and support for local businesses. This was echoed by Mayor Gary Hinders, who expressed excitement at the prospect of bringing more commercial film projects to the region, taking advantage of the classic western scenery of the Panhandle.
With over 50 years of history backing it, the Texas Film Commission has played a substantial role in shaping the state's media productions. Not only has it attracted over $2.5 billion in local spending, but it's also been instrumental in creating upwards of 189,000 jobs from 2007 to 2024. It looks like Canyon is now set to become a part of this success story, joining forces with the Amarillo Area Film Commission to put its unique charm on the map for filmmakers.
