In 1978, a film crew member adjusts the camera before a scene of “The Dukes of Hazzard” is shot in Covington. Special | City of Covington
Newton has become hotbed for television, film production By TAYLOR BECK
A
tbeck@covnews.com
hotbed for the film industry and a tourist destination, Covington and Newton County is the “Hollywood of the South.” Since “A Man Called Peter” in 1954, Newton County has been the site of more than 165 television and film productions. The most notable are television series “The Dukes of Hazzard” filmed in Covington for one season in 1978; “In the Heat of the Night” filmed from 1988-1995; and “Vampire Diaries,” from 2009-2017. Three productions filmed in Newton County have won Academy Awards, including Best Supporting Actress, “My Cousin Vinny;” Best Short Film, “The Accountant;” and Best Original Song, “Selma.” Covington Regional Visitor Information Center Coordinator Ron Carter said the success of projects filmed in Newton Coun60 BICENTENNIAL EDITION
ty created an influx of tourism growth that has only multiplied over the last 10 years. “Tourism has most definitely grown by leaps and bounds over the last few years,” he said. “We saw a great increase during the filming of ‘In the Heat of the Night’ but nothing like we’ve seen for ‘Vampire Diaries.’” Carter said Covington projected to have 70,000 tourists visit the area in 2021 compared to only 20,400 guests in 2011. “Of those, approximately 80% are film tourists, and of that 80%, around 75-80% are ‘Vampire Diaries’ fans,” Carter said. “The success of the most recent series ‘Sweet Magnolias’ on Netflix will surely provide another influx of guests to Covington.” So many visitors translates to tax revenue for the county. Carter said the Georgia Department of Economic Development & US Travel Association estimated direct tourist spending in 2019 for Covington/Newton County
to be almost $130 million and estimates 2019 local tax revenues from film tourism to be $3.7 million. “This results in each Newton County property owner received $268 in household tax relief (2019),” Carter said. “The earliest data (for comparison) I have is from 2010 with numbers being direct tourist spending of $67 million; tax revenues $1.87 million; $112 in household tax relief.” The financial benefit of filming is one of the biggest reasons why so much filming takes place in Newton County — because county and city leaders pursue those projects. “Covington was the first Camera Ready Community in Georgia, which means we have streamlined the filming permit process and make it as easy as possible for producers, location scouts and production companies to film here,” Carter said. “We see the tremendous benefits THE COVINGTON NEWS
