Gov. Greg Abbott recently announced the launch of the state’s new “Digital Media Friendly Texas Community” to help attract digital media production and stimulate the creation of local jobs in the industry.
On Thursday, Abbott took to social media to highlight the new project, which was launched through the Texas Film Commission. According to the governor, the new initiative “will help communities attract new investments and grow local jobs in animation, visual effects, video games, and extended reality.”
“Texas is a magnet for innovative industry leaders and creative talent, and this new program will help take our state to new heights in the innovative world of digital media… I thank the Texas Film Commission for working with Texas communities to expand their local economies by attracting new investments in the booming digital media industry,” the governor elaborated in a press release.
The new program will be open to communities of various sizes and experiences. Moreover, it will include a platform for those communities that obtain certification. This will enable them to “market their unique attributes, locations, and resources directly to digital media industry companies and professionals,” reads the press release.
According to the program, the only requirement is a commitment to fostering the digital media sector and expanding employment opportunities locally.
Texas Film Commission director Stephanie Whallon said digital media was critical to the state’s production ecosystem.
As part of the project, local governments or non-profit economic development and tourism community organizations can showcase a Digital Media Friendly Texas certification to help attract development and stimulate local job growth.
Last month, The Dallas Express reported that between 2007 and 2023, the Texas Film Commission, part of the governor’s Office of Economic Development and Tourism, helped generate over 183,000 production jobs and over $2 billion in local spending in the state.
