The San Marcos City Council voted on Tuesday, June 7, 2022 to approve a Chapter 380 Economic Development Agreement with Hill Country Group, LLC. The agreement provides a tax rebate incentive to support construction of a film production studio in San Marcos.
The 820,000-square foot facility, to be built near Wonder World Drive and West Center Point Road in the La Cima development, will include stages, workshops, offices, and support spaces. Upon completion, the film production studio is expected to bring 44 full-time employees to San Marcos paying salaries of $100,000, as well as up to 1,400 additional contract workers with salaries of $80,000. It will also support local vendors providing services and supplies needed for on-site production projects including but not limited to caterers, dry cleaners, tailors, lumber suppliers, digital equipment suppliers, electricians, plumbers, carpenters, and commercial real estate agents.
“We’re excited to see the opportunities this project brings to San Marcos,” said Assistant City Manager Joe Pantalion. “We’re excited Hill Country Group, LLC has chosen to invest in San Marcos for this project and we’re confident the film production studio will positively impact our local businesses and our City’s overall economy.”
The Chapter 380 Economic Development Agreement with Hill Country Group, LLC provides tax rebates for five years, beginning once construction is complete in 2025. The City’s 10-year economic impact analysis projects a 249% return on investment, not including additional income generated through permitting, applications, or construction activity.
“The film and television industry has had a positive economic impact in other states and its growth in Texas brings a lot of potential to San Marcos,” said Economic & Business Development Manager Kelsee Jordan Lee. “An average of $250,000 is contributed to the local economy each day a major motion picture films on location. The industry also provides quality jobs, with salaries higher than the national average.”
Construction on the project is expected to begin in April 2023.
