Movie studio to open location in Spring Hope

The Nash County town of Spring Hope is about to make it big in the movie business.

Major film producer Robert Rippberger with Ascent Studios is planning to open a studio there. He said he was attracted by the area's promise.

"We really think North Carolina has a lot to offer. This studio came out of me coming to North Carolina on a specific project and just seeing the potential," he said.

State leaders and the film commission have long worked behind the scenes to build attract a major studio in the state. Incentives offered to attract the film community have included a 25% tax grant and a new bill in the house allowing for a 10% bump for filming outside of major metropolitan areas.

"The economic impact for Spring Hope will be as fast and as large as anyone can imagine," Spring Hope Mayor Kyle Pritchard said.

Pritchard believes it will also be a great benefit for all of Nash County, and entice more film producers to the state and spark positive changes.

"We look at this helping to expand the regional airport in Rocky Mount," Pritchard said.

Pritchard also says it will help local college programs expand and attract students who want to get into the movie industry.

A downtown antique shop hopes their business will attract movie producers seeking items for their films. The shop has a mix of items that could be used in productions like old Coke sign, a suit of armor and a Turkish incense burner.

Pritchard said that while the studio will transform the area, he wants to make sure that the town "stays exactly what the residents want it to be."

Completion of the studio is scheduled for late this year, but the first production is set to start filming in the coming months, Rippberger said.

Pritchard says the town is currently working with the studio and state leaders to plan a grand opening event when the studio does open its doors.