Georgia state Sen. Jeff Mullis, R-Chickamauga, has been appointed by Gov. Brian Kemp to the state's Film, Music and Digital Entertainment Advisory Commission, a news release states.
The panel, made up of leaders and industry experts in the public and private sectors, will work to enhance the state's entertainment industry.
"While Georgia's reputation as the best state in the nation in which to do business is well known, we are also quickly becoming the best state in the nation for entertainment," Mullis said. "Over the last few years, Georgia's entertainment industry has expanded and we continue to witness leaders in film, music and all other areas of entertainment choosing Georgia for their productions or even to set-up permanent offices."
Mullis, chairman of the Senate Rules Committee, said he looks forward to "watching this industry continue to grow under the leadership of Gov. Kemp, and I am eager to work with the other members of this commission to continue to search for additional economic development opportunities across all sectors of entertainment."
Georgia-based film and television productions generated a total economic impact of $9.5 billion during the 2018 fiscal year, according to the Georgia Department of Economic Development. That included 455 film and television productions that contributed to $2.7 billion in direct spending in the state, the release states.
In 2018 Georgia had 92,100 jobs in the motion picture and television industry, according to the Motion Picture Association of America. And the state's music industry had an estimated $3.7 billion economic impact in 2011, with more than 70 annual music festivals statewide.
Mullis represents the 53rd Senate District, which includes Catoosa, Dade and Walker counties and parts of Chattooga County.