Choice Films New $22M Studio in Montgomery Secures IDA Approval, $900K State Funding
Rendering of the new Choice Films studio in the Town of Montgomery
MONTGOMERY—The film and television production industry in Orange County is expanding once again. Choice Films has obtained approvals for incentives by the Town of Montgomery Industrial Development Agency to build a new studio adjacent to its existing studio on Bracken Road.
The IDA approval of incentives for the $21.6-millon project last week gives Choice Films the green light to begin construction on the new 75,000-square-foot studio building with three stages at 166 Bracken Road, adjacent to its existing studio property at 168 Bracken Road. The new studio project is expected to be completed by year-end, according to multiple press reports.
The IDA approved sales tax exemptions of up to $812,500, a mortgage recording tax exemption of up to $120,000 as well as a PILOT. The Choice Films project also recently secured a $900,000 grant from Empire State Development Corp. as part of the governor’s annual Consolidated Funding Application awards to Regional Economic Development Councils.
Amanda Dana, Director of Tourism & Film for Orange County, said the new project expands on the growing television and film production sector in Orange County. “For more than seven years, Choice Films has been a trusted partner to the Orange County Film Office and a cornerstone of the Hudson Valley film industry. As an Orange County–based production and stage management company, they play a vital role in attracting and managing film and television productions that generate meaningful economic impact—supporting local businesses and creating high-skilled jobs for our community.”
She continued, “Their recent expansion, including the addition of three new stages made possible in part by a $900,000 Empire State Development grant, is an exciting milestone for the film industry in Orange County. This investment underscores the strength of our region as a production destination and reflects the type of forward-thinking growth we are proud to support.”
Local officials also expressed support for the project and its impacts going forward for the Town of Montgomery. IDA Executive Director Vincent Rouhotas told Mid-Hudson News: “For decades Montgomery has been known primarily for warehousing and distribution and today that changes. Our residents have concluded that they want higher impact economic development, and this project is just that. It will bring three state-of-the-art sound stages, modern office space, supporting productions from major studios like Netflix, Fox, Peacock, and Amazon, and this new studio firmly establishes Montgomery as the home of the film industry in Orange County.”
Montgomery Town Supervisor Steve Brescia told the Wallkill Valley Times: “This new facility is going to be a big economic boom, and we’re very excited about it. We’ve been looking to create more jobs in the town, and this is just what we’re looking for. And Choice Films has been a great neighbor to us.”
According to documents filed with the Town of Montgomery IDA, Choice Films has stated that the project will retain between 150 to 250 jobs and create 40 new full-time jobs and 600 new part-time jobs within three years of completion of the project.
