NJEDA Board Approves $9.5M to Support Film Studio Development

 Film and Digital Media Studio Infrastructure grants will support five infrastructure improvement projects across New Jersey

TRENTON, N.J. (April 11, 2024) – The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) Board on Wednesday approved $9.5 million in funding to support five projects under the Film and Digital Media Studio Infrastructure Program. The pilot program supports strategic economic development investments in the film and digital media industry by providing grant funding to municipalities, counties, and state entities for infrastructure improvements and sitework in support of the development of a film or digital media studio production facility.

“Under Governor Phil Murphy’s leadership, film production in New Jersey has increased thanks to resources like the Film & Digital Media Tax Credit, which has created good-paying jobs, strengthened our economy, and attracted film studios and production companies to the Garden State,” said NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan. “The funding announced this week will allow municipalities to make important infrastructure improvements to support studio construction, furthering New Jersey’s leadership in film and television.”

By investing in infrastructure projects that support New Jersey’s growing film and digital media sector, the Film and Digital Media Studio Infrastructure Program will foster additional productions in the state, drive job creation, and further New Jersey’s long-term economic competitiveness. The projects funded through this program will support the creation of a film or digital media studio, as well as provide community and regional economic impact and benefits.

The following projects were approved for grants:

Borough of Carteret – $4,700,000 – The Borough will use the grant to construct public access to a brownfields redevelopment site along with utility infrastructure to support the development of a 1.2 million-square-foot film studio called “Carteret Stages” at 300 Roosevelt Avenue, which is anticipated to consist of numerous 20,000-square-foot sound stages, post-production facilities, and offices.

City of Jersey City – $2,161,400 – The City will improve infrastructure to support a planned renovation of 50 Dey Street for the creation of approximately 280,000 square feet of studio production facilities. Infrastructure work will consist of electrical power utility capacity improvements, upgrading the storm drainage system on Dey St., and road improvement access on St. Pauls Avenue.

Jersey City Redevelopment Agency – $1,433,000 – The Agency will undertake several public infrastructure improvements in the Liberty Harbor Redevelopment Area of Jersey City to support a proposed 124,000-square-foot film studio containing three sound stages for Criterion Group/Cinelease Studios. Infrastructure upgrades include additional crosswalks and traffic control signage to better regulate both vehicle and pedestrian traffic, installation of security and public access lighting to enhance overall safety surrounding the property, public accessible bicycle parking racks, and other streetscape improvements. 

Egg Harbor City – $1,029,500 – The City will undertake infrastructure improvements and sitework on an 80-acre brownfields site at 1000 Hamburg Road for development by Atlantic Picture Motion Studios into approximately 185,000 square feet of motion picture and media sound stages, and entertainment production support space. Infrastructure work includes road widening, curb cuts, sidewalk improvement, street lighting, and street drainage improvements.

Township of East Brunswick – $176,100 – The Township will run a sewer line and improve the existing networking infrastructure to and for the approximately 75,000-square-foot Community Arts Center building located at 721 Cranbury Road. The Township is in the process of making building upgrades to include a Black Box Theater/Film Studio and the relocation of East Brunswick Television (EBTV) Production Studio to the Community Arts Center, which can support film creation, film screenings, and film editing and production.

About the NJEDA

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) serves as the State’s principal agency for driving economic growth. The NJEDA is committed to making New Jersey a national model for inclusive and sustainable economic development by focusing on key strategies to help build strong and dynamic communities, create good jobs for New Jersey residents, and provide pathways to a stronger and fairer economy. Through partnerships with a diverse range of stakeholders, the NJEDA creates and implements initiatives to enhance the economic vitality and quality of life in the State and strengthen New Jersey’s long-term economic competitiveness.

To learn more about NJEDA resources for businesses, call NJEDA Customer Care at 844-965-1125 or visit https://www.njeda.gov and follow @NewJerseyEDA on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

###