Community

Fulshear has spent years attracting new residents, restaurants, retailers and development. Now, the city is adding another potential economic opportunity to the mix: film and media production.

The City of Fulshear has been designated a Film Friendly Texas Certified Community by the Texas Film Commission after completing the state's multi-step training and certification process, the Texas Economic Development & Tourism Office announced Sept. 24. The designation places Fulshear among more than 200 certified communities across Texas. 

For residents, the certification does not mean a movie or television production is suddenly headed to town. Instead, it means Fulshear has taken the steps required to make the community easier for production companies to evaluate and work with if opportunities arise.

That could eventually translate into crews eating at Fulshear restaurants, staying in the region, purchasing supplies from nearby businesses and hiring Texas workers. It also gives the city another way to market the mix of landscapes, neighborhoods, businesses and community character that make Fulshear distinctive.

What Film Friendly Texas Certification Means for Fulshear

The Film Friendly Texas program is designed to help cities prepare for on-location film and media production while giving producers a network of communities that understand industry needs.

To earn certification, communities participate in Film Friendly Texas training, provide photographs of potential filming locations for inclusion in the Texas Film Commission's location database and establish filming guidelines that meet commission requirements. Certified communities also receive ongoing training and guidance on industry standards and best practices.

That preparation could make a difference when a production company is searching for a Texas location and comparing communities based not only on appearance, but also on how smoothly a local government can handle filming inquiries and logistics.

Governor Greg Abbott said the program is intended to connect communities with that economic activity.

“Congratulations to the City of Fulshear on joining more than 200 Film Friendly Texas Certified Communities,” Abbott said. “The Texas Film Commission partners with communities in every region of the state to market their unique appeal and attract new investments in media production. Through ongoing Film Friendly Texas training, communities are prepared to support media production, spurring on-site spending at local businesses and creating good-paying jobs for Texans.”

The Texas Film Commission points to productions filmed in certified communities as examples of the program's potential economic reach, while maintaining reports tracking in-state spending and jobs associated with productions participating in the state's incentive program. 

Fulshear's Growth Becomes Part of Its Film-Friendly Pitch

The certification arrives as Fulshear continues to change rapidly, with new neighborhoods and commercial development reshaping a city that still retains pieces of its small-town identity.

State Sen. Joan Huffman connected that growth directly to the city's potential as a production destination.

“The City of Fulshear is one of the fastest-growing communities in the country,” Huffman said. “That growth has produced a strong local economy and businesses ready to welcome new customers. Those same strengths make Fulshear a natural home for film and media productions looking for a place to work and spend. Congratulations to the city on earning the Film Friendly Texas certification.”

For filmmakers, that combination could offer different looks within the same community, from established portions of Fulshear to rapidly developing residential and commercial areas.

State Rep. Gary Gates pointed specifically to the city's character.

“Anyone who has spent time in Fulshear knows it has a character worth putting on screen,” Gates said. “I commend Mayor McCoy, City Manager Goodlander, and city staff for completing this certification. It reflects the same forward-thinking approach that has made Fulshear such a desirable place to live and do business.” 

The certification has been in the works for some time. City of Fulshear Economic Development Corporation records previously noted that city staff planned to pursue a Film Friendly designation, showing the recognition grew out of a broader local economic development effort rather than a single announcement. 

Local Businesses Could See the Most Immediate Opportunity

For Fulshear businesses, one of the more practical aspects of attracting a film, television, commercial or other production is the spending that can occur outside the actual set.

Productions may need food, transportation, supplies, temporary workspaces and other services while crews are in a community. How much benefit Fulshear ultimately receives will depend on whether productions actually choose to film locally, so the certification itself should be viewed as an economic development tool rather than a guarantee of new business.

Fulshear Mayor Don McCoy said the designation gives the city another avenue for introducing the community to a wider audience.

“Film Friendly Texas Certification represents an exciting opportunity for our city to showcase our community, support local businesses, and open the door to new economic opportunities through the film and media industry,” McCoy said. “It reflects our commitment to being a welcoming, collaborative community where creativity and commerce can thrive. We are Film Friendly Fulshear.” 

City Manager Zach Goodlander similarly described the certification as a way to pursue opportunities while promoting what Fulshear already has.

“This designation demonstrates Fulshear’s commitment to exploring new opportunities to promote film, support local businesses, and share what makes our community special,” Goodlander said.

More Than Just Movies

Despite its name, the Texas Film Commission works across a much broader media industry.

For more than 50 years, the commission, which operates within the Texas Economic Development & Tourism Office, has promoted Texas for film, television, commercials, animation, visual effects, video games and extended reality production. It also maintains resources for cast, crew and digital media job opportunities in Texas. 

That broader mission means Fulshear's Film Friendly Texas certification could potentially be relevant to projects ranging from traditional movie and television shoots to commercials and other media productions.

What Happens Next for Film Friendly Fulshear

The most noticeable impact may not come immediately.

The designation gives Fulshear a place within the Texas Film Commission's network of certified communities and provides ongoing access to training and guidance intended to help city officials respond when production inquiries arrive. 

From there, the opportunity depends on individual productions and whether Fulshear's locations match what filmmakers are looking for.

For a city already navigating rapid residential and commercial growth, the new certification adds one more piece to Fulshear's evolving economic identity. What began as a community known largely for its rural surroundings and small-town center now includes expanding neighborhoods, new businesses and, potentially, a place on the map for Texas film and media production.

Residents interested in Texas production opportunities can also find cast, crew and digital media job listings through the Texas Film Commission's industry hotline and employment resources.

Stay tuned to My Neighborhood News for updates on Fulshear growth, economic development, new businesses and future film or media activity in the community.

By Tiffany Krenek, My Neighborhood News 

Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.

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