Media production development zone gets city, county approval

MIDLOTHIAN – The City of Midlothian has agreed to nominate 8291 & 8281 Baucum Road as a Qualified Media Production Location after an application for a Media Production Development Zone Exemption was filed last month by The Chosen, Inc.

A Media Production Development Zone offers exemptions to the limited sales, excise, and use taxes to qualified persons who build, construct, renovate, improve, or expand a media production facility within the state at a qualified media production location over a two-year period. 

On Nov. 7, the Midlothian received an application for a Media Production Development Zone  Exemption from The Chosen, Inc. 

The Development Zone idea is part of the MPDZ Act, established by the Legislature in 2009 and administered by the Texas Film Commission to encourage development of more permanent moving image production sites to help strengthen Texas’ economy. 

The Chosen, Inc. anticipates investing a total of approximately $15 million in facility improvements and machinery and equipment for the expansion. 

Acquisition of equipment along with the construction of two new buildings, including a 30,000 sq. ft. stage and a new 12,310 sq. ft. executive office and storage facility will allow the company to expand its Midlothian-based operation.

The expansion will also create 19 local full-time corporate and facility operational jobs and the retention of 450 cast and crew jobs over five years, with an associated payroll of approximately $10.95 million annually at full production.

Regarding the exemptions, a summary of the findings in an impact study indicated, “If the entire The Chosen production site expansion project is exempt from sales tax, the company saves $916,942 in state sales tax and $293,421 in City of Midlothian sales tax. 

“The Midlothian sales tax calculation assumes all inputs to the site expansion project are taxable and bought from vendors within the city limits. If The Chosen, Inc. purchases goods from vendors outside the area, then the forgone sales tax revenue figure would be lower.

“It was also mentioned over the next five years, assuming the Phase Two expansion occurs, The Chosen, Inc. is projected to generate nearly $4.0 million in state tax revenue and $0.7 million in Midlothian tax revenue.” 

“The Chosen” TV series filming location is currently a 30-acre piece of land at Camp Hobitzelle in Midlothian’s ETJ. 

Said to be one of the most successful global faith-based shows in history, it has been filmed in Midlothian since its inception.

Midlothian City Manager Chris Dick said the Ellis County Commissioners Court had already approved the Qualified Media Production Location request by The Chosen, Inc.