AMERICUS — Over the past decade, the film and entertainment industry has greatly impacted Georgia’s Economy. In a report by the Atlanta Journal Constitution published earlier this year, Governor Nathan Deal reported the film industry generated $2.7 billion for the state of Georgia. The state has attracted films and recurring productions such as SpiderMan: Homecoming, The Walking Dead and Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 2 — just to name a few.
With this type of economic impact, the Sumter County Chamber of Commerce is set to host its next Membership Luncheon on Oct. 11 with New Horizons for Habitat serving as the presenting sponsor. Focusing on the film and entertainment industry in Georgia, Lee Cuthbert, location specialist for the Georgia Film Office, will serve as the keynote speaker for the program to discuss the economic impact of the industry and the incentives offered — both on a regional and state level.
As an arm of Georgia’s Department of Economic Development sales and marketing, Cuthbert is responsible for developing custom packages of photos for projects based on script requirements, scouts with clients as needed, updates, and helps maintain the private photo database, assists projects with finding crew and stages, and acts as a liaison with tourism to assist with film tourism projects. She joined the office in 2009, and is a graduate of Butler University in Indianapolis.
The cost of the luncheon is $20 for members and $25 for non-members and it will be held at the Rees Park Economic Development, 409 Elm Ave., Americus. The luncheon begins with a Business Expo at 11:30 a.m. with the program to follow at noon.
To make your reservation, please contact the Sumter County Chamber at 229-924-2646 or go to www.sumtercountychamber.com.  Credit and debit card payments are accepted online, and checks/cash may be mailed to P.O. Box 724, Americus GA 31709 or paid in-person at our offices on the second floor of the Rees Park Economic Development Center.
For more information regarding the Membership Luncheon or participate in the Business Expo, please contact the Sumter County Chamber at 229-924-2646 or chamber@sumterchamber.com.