Thursday, February 7, 2008 2:21 PM EST
NEWS NOW: Movie group plans
Hope Valley studio
Hope Valley studio
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Project could bring more than 500 high-paying jobs
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HOPE VALLEY -- Bright lights and big stars could be moving to Exit 2.
Plans for a $100-million-plus movie production studio and hotel are expected to be announced during a ceremony at the State House this afternoon, local officials said this morning.
The project could bring more than 500 high-paying industry jobs, officials said.
Town Council President Vincenzo Cordone said he and state officials have been working with the company for the past year to bring it to Rhode Island. Cordone said the proposed movie studio is similar to that of Albuquerque Studios, which is owned by Santa Monica, Calif.-based Pacifica Ventures. Pacifica Ventures owns a series of worldwide studios in locations including Hollywood and Kiev.
Representative Brian Patrick Kennedy, D-Hopkinton, who found out about specific plans Wednesday, said the company has acquired a number of parcels that would be connected together in an area zoned for commercial and manufacturing uses.
Cordone and Kennedy said the studio should not disrupt residents in the area.
Production will occur inside soundproof studios, keeping noise away from homes, they said in separate interviews. Kennedy added that post-production work would also be done in the studios.
In recent years some movies and television shows -- such as Brotherhood, which recently signed on to shoot a third season in Rhode Island -- have been filmed in the state. The filming represents about one-third of the production process, Kennedy said. Hosting a studio would allow the rest of the work to stay within Rhode Island, saving money for the company, he added.
Kennedy also said the project represents about one-tenth of Hopkinton’s tax base.
“Hopkinton is looking to grow its tax base,” Kennedy said. “This is one potential way to do it.”
Cordone said that it will take time to finalize the project “but we want it done right.”
“We need revenue…A thing like this could alter the finances of the town and state,” Cordone said.
For more on this story watch this site and read Friday's print edition.
Plans for a $100-million-plus movie production studio and hotel are expected to be announced during a ceremony at the State House this afternoon, local officials said this morning.
The project could bring more than 500 high-paying industry jobs, officials said.
Town Council President Vincenzo Cordone said he and state officials have been working with the company for the past year to bring it to Rhode Island. Cordone said the proposed movie studio is similar to that of Albuquerque Studios, which is owned by Santa Monica, Calif.-based Pacifica Ventures. Pacifica Ventures owns a series of worldwide studios in locations including Hollywood and Kiev.
Representative Brian Patrick Kennedy, D-Hopkinton, who found out about specific plans Wednesday, said the company has acquired a number of parcels that would be connected together in an area zoned for commercial and manufacturing uses.
Cordone and Kennedy said the studio should not disrupt residents in the area.
Production will occur inside soundproof studios, keeping noise away from homes, they said in separate interviews. Kennedy added that post-production work would also be done in the studios.
In recent years some movies and television shows -- such as Brotherhood, which recently signed on to shoot a third season in Rhode Island -- have been filmed in the state. The filming represents about one-third of the production process, Kennedy said. Hosting a studio would allow the rest of the work to stay within Rhode Island, saving money for the company, he added.
Kennedy also said the project represents about one-tenth of Hopkinton’s tax base.
“Hopkinton is looking to grow its tax base,” Kennedy said. “This is one potential way to do it.”
Cordone said that it will take time to finalize the project “but we want it done right.”
“We need revenue…A thing like this could alter the finances of the town and state,” Cordone said.
For more on this story watch this site and read Friday's print edition.
ARNOLD wrote on Feb 8, 2008 11:54 AM:
" YAHH...DIS IS GREAT...ESPECIALLY FOR MARIA AND I....WHEN WE AREN'T HOME IN SANTA MONICA AND WE ARE VISITING IN RHODE ISLAND...I WILL NEED A PLACE TO FLEX MY MUSCLES ON-CAMERA...THESE NEW STUDIOS ARE PERFECT...I WILL TRY TO MAKE A MOVIE BASED ON MY NEW COMEDY CD--" AHNOLD & THE FIRST FAMILY OF CALIFORNIA "...HEAR IT AT WWW.CDBABY.COM/CD/HAYDENRON !!!YAHHHHHH !!!! "
Joe wrote on Feb 7, 2008 8:47 PM:
" As long as we don't bend over backwards to give them a rediculous tax break as i have heard is proposed "
Jean wrote on Feb 7, 2008 4:26 PM:
" Should the project come to fruition I hope the politicans do not use the studio as an excuse to spend more. It would be nice to have our taxes reduced for once. "
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