The decision of the producers of “Fishers of Men” to film in Bainbridge is one this town should support.

If anything, it will be fun—fun just to watch all the buzz and excitement surrounding the production.

But more than that, the movie industry brings in much-needed revenue to a community—and let’s hope that Decatur County will reap a slice of that money.

According to a news release from Gov. Sonny Perdue’s office, movies filmed in Georgia have grossed more than $415 million at the box office so far this year.

This cements the state’s position as a leading location for filming, the governor’s office said.

Since 2008 when Perdue signed the 2008 Entertainment Industry Investment Act, entertainment productions in Georgia have increased 400 percent. More than 100 feature films, television series, specials and pilots have been produced in Georgia since then, helping catapult the state into the top five in the nation for film and TV production in 2009, and landing it in the top spot in the Southeast.

The law provides an income tax credit of 20 percent to qualified productions, and an additional 10 percent tax credit to productions that embed a Georgia promotional logo in the titles or credits, or as product placement within the content of the production.

Since Georgia increased its competitiveness in mid-2008, the program has generated more than $950 million in direct investment, yielding an overall economic impact of more than $1.6 billion to the state.

Among some of the films shot in Georgia since 1972 are “Driving Miss Daisy,” “Sweet Home Alabama,” “My Cousin Vinny,” “Forrest Gump,” “Fireproof,” “We Are Marshall” and “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.”

The producers are wanting to come to Bainbridge and host a workshop so members of the community may learn more about the film—how it’s developed, how its produced and how its funded. Please call to sign up at 888-887-1446 or at media@desertwindfilms.com.