Texarkana, fresh off completing a stringent training and certification process, has officially been anointed as a Film Friendly Texas Certified Community by the Texas Film Commission. Governor Greg Abbott led the announcement, congratulating the city for its readiness to support local business through film and media productions. Texarkana's new title comes as a nod to its potential in becoming a hub for job creation and on-site spending within local businesses, according to the Office of the Texas Governor.
"Congratulations to Texarkana on earning the Film Friendly Texas designation," Office of the Texas Governor proclaimed. The governor emphasized the economic benefits, noting how Texarkana’s training has prepared them to connect local businesses with production-related needs. In doing so, they seek to foster on-site spending and bolster job prospects for Texans. Texarkana's ascendancy into the ranks of over 200 certified communities is seen as a strategic advantage for the city in the competitive landscape of media production.
Local officials have expressed their pride and enthusiasm for the opportunities that accompany this certification. Texarkana Mayor Bob Bruggeman highlighted the city's readiness to welcome film and media projects and the subsequent economic growth they're anticipated to bring. Additionally, Gary VanDeaver, a state representative, lauded Texarkana for its character and the prospect of sharing it with the film industry, as reported by the Office of the Texas Governor.
City Manager David Orr echoed this sentiment, stressing the city's dedication to growth, creativity, and regional collaboration. "We are incredibly proud that Texarkana has been designated as a Film Friendly Texas Certified Community," Orr remarked on the Office of the Texas Governor announcement. The city's leadership collectively looks forward to what doors this designation might open, particularly regarding attracting new film and media projects to Texarkana.
The Texas Film Commission, nestled within the Governor’s Texas Economic Development & Tourism Office, has for over 50 years, championed the state as an ideal location for a slew of productions spanning film, television, animation, and more. Texarkana's certification signifies its pledge to uphold industry standards and best practices to accommodate on-location filming, contributing to the greater narrative of Texas's standing in the media production scene, as per the Office of the Texas Governor.
