By Eden Laikin
The local film industry initiative started by Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano last year, generated over $80 million in economic activity for the County. This included $3 million spent on local lumber during the production of Angelina Jolie’s movie, SALT. And, 60% of the workers employed for the film were local, union workers.
Building upon the two full-length production studios in Bethpage is part of the County Executive’s economic development and job creation plan for Nassau.
Last month, Mangano held a two-day tour of Nassau’s multiple filming locations, in which he met with fifteen successful members of the film and television industry. The group included various location managers, actors, producers and directors of the shows Boardwalk Empire and Gossip Girl.
Mangano brought the members to the Gold Coast and Grumman film studios at the former United States Navy-Grumman Corporation property, that encompass three buildings and nine sound stages. Other tour destinations included the Old Bethpage Village Restoration, Eisenhower Park and Nickerson Beach.
“I am proud to showcase Nassau County for the film industry,” Mangano said upon meeting the film industry professionals. “I am excited at the prospect of creating jobs and generating revenues through successful partnerships with the film industry.”
Every time a film or television project chooses one of these Nassau locations, both revenue and jobs are created for our county’s residents.
“The motion picture industry is a job creator, and if we are putting people to work we are doing the right thing for the people of Nassau County,” said Mangano.
Mangano has been pushing for the strengthening of the motion picture industry in Nassau, since he was a County Legislator and worked to establish working movie studios at the former Grumman property. In October of 2011, Mangano created an economic development plan for the county entitled “Accelerate Nassau Now,” that pursues the continuation of incentives for the film and television industries.
In 2010, Nassau County hosted 650 production days—more days than Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island and the Bronx combined.
“Nassau County is establishing itself as Hollywood East,” said Mangano.
Nassau County has been the site of major motion pictures such as Salt, White Collar, Michael Clayton, Rescue Me, Sex and the City II, Julie and Julia, Morning Glory and Sorcerer’s Apprentice. The County Executive also recently approved television shoots for the shows Royal Pains, Running Wilde and The Onion to film at the Theodore Roosevelt Legislative and Executive Building in Mineola.
“The money these projects generate helps to offset the tax burden on residents,” Mangano said. “I have long welcomed the film industry to Nassau County. Our door is open for business.”
