Today, Netflix officially broke ground on its ambitious Netflix Studios Fort Monmouth, a $1 billion production hub set to transform the former U.S. Army base in Monmouth County, New Jersey, into a premier East Coast filmmaking center. The ceremony, attended by Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, and local officials, marked a significant milestone for the state’s growing film industry and the revitalization of a site dormant since its closure in 2011.
Spanning 292 acres across Eatontown and Oceanport, the state-of-the-art complex will feature 12 cutting-edge soundstages totaling nearly 500,000 square feet, alongside backlots, offices, and community amenities. Netflix estimates the project will create 1,500 permanent jobs in the film industry and 3,500 construction jobs, injecting billions into New Jersey’s economy. “Netflix is proud to invest in American innovation and the creative community,” Sarandos said in a statement. “These studios will create thousands of jobs, billions in economic output, and cultural benefits for the region and state.”
The project, first announced in December 2022, has been bolstered by significant state support, including $387 million in tax breaks from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA). Additionally, Netflix is eligible for a 40% tax credit on production expenses for films and TV shows shot in New Jersey if it occupies the facility for at least 10 years, and up to $125 million in further incentives under the Garden State Film and Digital Media Jobs Act. Governor Murphy, a key advocate for luring Netflix to the site, highlighted New Jersey’s cinematic legacy, noting, “As the birthplace of the motion picture industry, New Jersey couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome Netflix.”
The Fort Monmouth site, once a hub for military innovation, including the development of FM radio, has been largely vacant for over a decade. Its transformation into a Hollywood-style studio campus has sparked local enthusiasm. Oceanport Mayor Tom Tvrdik declared, “All roads lead to Oceanport and Eatontown,” referencing the host towns’ new role in the entertainment industry. However, further approvals from the Monmouth County Planning Board are required before full construction can proceed, with demolition expected to take 13 months and the studio slated to open in 2028.
Local leaders and residents see the project as a catalyst for economic growth, with potential to attract tourism and boost small businesses. Posts on X echoed the excitement, with Senator Vin Gopal calling it “an incredible moment for Monmouth County” and estimating a $4 billion economic impact. The groundbreaking, complete with a ceremonial wrecking ball, symbolized not just the start of construction but a new chapter for New Jersey as a filmmaking powerhouse.
Netflix’s investment underscores its commitment to expanding U.S. production capacity, following its Albuquerque, New Mexico hub. As the company navigates approvals and construction, Netflix Studios Fort Monmouth is poised to cement New Jersey’s status as the “Hollywood of the East Coast.”
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