What was once a quiet small town in the state of Georgia is now a mecca for film and television production: Senoia, a historic 3,300-person city that has been experiencing economic success driven by filmmakers for decades. With its alluring downtown area, dozens of television and movies filmed there, and generous tax incentives from local politicians, Senoia is more than just a setting for movies—it’s an incredible success story of perseverance and ambition.
Senoia, Georgia is a thriving small town that has experienced a boom in business and tax revenue due to its status as a preferred filming location for television shows and movies. With its quaint downtown area and mom-and-pop storefronts, it’s no wonder filmmakers have been drawn to this town of 3,300 people. In the last few decades, Senoia has been the backdrop for 24 productions from popular works such as “The Walking Dead” and “Fried Green Tomatoes” to classics like “Drop Dead Diva” and “Driving Miss Daisy”.
This influx of business has given the town an impressive population growth, doubling since 2000, and enabled Senoia to maintain a low tax rate while still generating high tax revenue, despite Georgia having one of the nation’s highest foreclosure rates. The success of this small town is a testament to its vibrant culture and welcoming atmosphere.
With the help of Georgia lawmakers offering generous tax credits and incentives, Senoia has become a prime destination for filmmakers since the release of “Driving Miss Daisy” in 1989. This has only increased with the subsequent success of movies like “Sweet Home Alabama” in 2002, “Meet the Browns” in 2008, and “Footloose” in 2011, bringing millions of dollars into the state annually and serving as an impressive example of what hard work and ambition can accomplish.
Most recently, Senoia has drawn attention from AMC’s hit show “The Walking Dead,” the highest-rated drama of all time on basic cable channels. As a result, the town of Woodbury, GA was recreated with such remarkable accuracy that it’s become a tourist attraction in its own right.
Cast and crew members dine, shop and even stay in Senoia during filming, bringing a surge of revenue to the town. In addition, Raleigh Studios employs as many as 250 local people, while store owners report profits rising up to 30 percent during production. Walker Stalkers from all over the world come to catch a glimpse of their favorite actors and sometimes even get spoilers before episodes air! Keith Boldt, a truck driver from nearby Newnan, GA, has stayed up until 4 a.m. just to watch scenes being filmed.
He proudly says, “This town is on the map now!” The city has embraced this newfound fame and built a replica of Hollywood’s Walk of Fame, with gold plaques honoring locally made films. To further promote tourism, there will soon be a trolley-car tour of the filming sites. Senoia is truly living up to its motto, “The perfect setting. For life.”
Mr. Tigchelaar, of Senoia Enterprises and Raleigh Studios, has played an integral part in the town’s transformation. His vision to buy and restore more than half of the stores downtown has been brought to life with the help of an architecture firm specializing in historical renovations. The result is a bustling downtown filled with bars, restaurants, and shops as they may have looked in the late 19th century.
To add to the Norman Rockwell setting, country music star Zac Brown has opened a restaurant and concert space. Developers are also planning a hotel to attract empty-nesters from Atlanta and its wealthy suburbs drawn by the simplicity of small-town living with a Hollywood twist. Mr. Tigchelaar proudly proclaims, “We like to say we’re 25 miles and 100 years from Atlanta!”
Not everyone in town is embracing the changes, but others are proud to be part of them. Wayne Peavy, the owner of an antique store, acknowledges the benefits and drawbacks of the transformation, noting that it is “good for business” but not what he anticipated when he moved to the small town. However, Mr. Baggarly has embraced the change wholeheartedly, installing Hollywood props at his restaurant such as a white reindeer from “The Chronicles of Narnia” film series overlooking the bar and a bazooka fired by Patrick Swayze mounted on the wall. He has even gone so far as to purchase velvet ropes and plan for a red carpet.
It is clear that the town of Waycross, Georgia has taken a bold step in modernizing its Main Street, and their efforts have been captured in the New York Times article “A Georgia Main Street Paved in Red Carpet.”
Senoia has proven that even with small-town resources, hard work, and ambition can create success. By being at the forefront of diversity in cinema since 1989, its invitation to filmmakers has given citizens employment and drawn tax revenue through tax credits and incentives offered by Georgia lawmakers. This allows the town to maintain an influx of commercial and critical filmed productions while generating huge economic advantages for itself and the state. As businesses have expanded and taxpayers are now happy with their low rate (despite the high foreclosure rates of Georgia in general), it’s no surprise that this remarkable city remains a powerhouse when it comes to great success stories without bankrupting its community.
