The City of Dumas received Film Friendly Texas designation on September 22 after successfully completing the training and certification process. The designation was announced by Texas Governor Greg Abbott, according to a press release from the Office of the Governor. Communities are designated by the Texas Film Commission, which has been operating for over 50 years.
“I congratulate the City of Dumas on earning the Film Friendly Texas designation and joining more than 160 other Texas communities that have received this recognition,” Abbott said in the press release. “The Lone Star State is brimming with promise, and I look forward to continuing to work alongside all of our communities to ensure they have the knowledge and tools needed to succeed.”
“…Through the Film Friendly Texas training and certification process, communities large and small are readied to help match local businesses with production-related needs, creating jobs for Texas-based crew members and local residents, as well as spurring on-site spending at local small businesses. I am proud of all the Texas Film Commission has accomplished in helping communities like Dumas market their unique appeal and support local job creation through media production.”
The Texas Film Commission works to make the state a major destination for various types of media production, including television, film, video game, extended reality, commercial, and more.
The City of Dumas will join Dallas, Arlington, Fort Worth, Frisco, and Denton as a Film Friendly community. There are over 160 Film Friendly communities in Texas, according to the Texas Film Commission website. Dumas is in the panhandle region, along with the cities of Amarillo and Fritch.
Carl Watson, the Executive Director of the Dumas/Moore County Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center, shared in the press release that receiving this designation benefits the community’s economy. The impact of bringing more media production to Dumas will be seen for years, according to Watson.
“Being designated as a Texas Film Friendly Community is so important on so many levels,” he said in the press release. “The economic impact provided by the film media industry, whether it be a motion picture, or commercial, is one that has a ripple effect, providing revenues for so many members of a community; the lasting effect will continue to provide benefits for years to come. We are excited to be able to work with the Texas Film Commission to help promote Texas as the place to bring these great projects.”
Michael Running, the Executive Director of the Dumas Economic Development Corporation, said the city has been working toward getting involved in media-related industries. The designation will attract more producers to the region, Running shared in the press release.
State Representative Four Price also congratulated the City of Dumas.
“It is no secret that the natural beauty of the Texas Panhandle, with its spectacular views, stunning sunsets, and friendly people is attractive to film making,” Price said in the press release. “Congratulations to the City of Dumas for achieving the Film Friendly Texas designation. Movies produced in Texas film-certified communities have significant and positive economic impacts on both the local and state economies.”
The Texas Film Commission has created over 183,000 production-related jobs in the state since 2007.
