PREVIOUS COVERAGE | TV producers bringing firm, 117 jobs to Lakewood Ranch

LAKEWOOD RANCH — The Sarasota County Film Commission laid the foundation some time ago.

A television production company had gone to the Sarasota County Film Commission for assistance on a project and the commission delivered.

As a result of that relationship, Sarasota County has landed a multimillion-dollar economic engine for Lakewood Ranch.

The TV production company, whose name is being closely guarded due to confidentiality agreements, has reached an agreement with Sarasota County to set up its studios in Lakewood Ranch.

For now the studios will be based in an existing 30,000-square-foot facility with the option to purchase 22 acres by 2015, when the company is estimated to be fully functional. The firm is expected to have an economic impact of $164.2 million and create 117 jobs with an average salary of $72,029, according to Sarasota County records.

County and state officials have agreed not to reveal the name of the production company until all paperwork for the incentives and negotiations at both levels are signed.

But the company has three TV pilots and two independent films in the works, and it could move into its facility within the next six months, said Jeff Maultsby, business and economic development manager for Sarasota County.

The county expects to make a formal announcement and disclose the company’s name during the week of Sept. 13, Maultsby added.

The production firm reached out to the Sarasota Economic Development Corp. about establishing its studios in Lakewood Ranch because of its previous work with the Sarasota County Film Commission, said Ron Maloney, the development corporation’s executive vice president.

“We’ve been working with them, laying the groundwork for this for over a year,” Maloney said. “They had some interaction with the Sarasota County Film Commission. In the role of the film commission they were able to help somewhat, and there was a relationship that was maintained and nurtured.

“They realized in the long term something like this could come about,” he added. “The film commission office had helped them in other ways, so there was a trust element.”

Jeanne Corcoran, director of the film commission, said she has been in talks with the company for a little more than a year but has known the firm from past projects.

“This has been in development for a year and a half in speaking about this potential project,” Corcoran said. “They have been actively involved in this industry for a long time and are looking to take it up to new levels.”

The company in June was ready to make a serious move and contacted the Sarasota County EDC about moving forward with plans to establish its studios in Lakewood Ranch. Since then, the company has been referred to as “Project Waterboy” on county documents.

In July, the Sarasota County Commission adopted a resolution to recommend Project Waterboy for the Qualified Target Industry Tax Refund Program estimated to be worth $585,000 in state tax refunds, of which the county agreed to commit $117,000 from county funds.

Last week, Sarasota County agreed to provide $650,000 in additional economic incentives, according to county records.

Local educators say the TV production company could provide big opportunities for local film students in the way of internships, production assistant jobs and animation projects.

“I know that this has been something that everybody’s been hoping for,” said Del Jacobs, an associate professor of film and media studies at State College of Florida who also serves on the Sarasota Film Commission Advisory Committee. “Students who have graduated from our program or Ringling are going to be in perfect position to be a part of this.”

Larry Thompson, president of Ringling College of Art and Design, agreed.

“We are very, very excited about this possibility,” Thompson said. “Hopefully we’ll be able to develop some working partnerships to help the students gain internships and help graduates from Ringling College gain jobs.”

Grace Gagliano, business reporter, can be reached at (941) 745-7081.