By ROBIN SHANNON

L’Observateur

ST. ROSE – A Hollywood-based studio services company recently announced construction of four state-of-the-art soundstages in St. Rose that could be leased out to major motion picture and television production companies.

St. Charles Economic Development Director Corey Faucheux said Quixote Studios has already begun construction on the first phase of the project – two new stages that are set to open in early 2013. He said one stage will be 21,000-square-feet and the other will be 9,000-square-feet.

“We are hoping that their investment will serve as a catalyst for future growth in the production industry,” Faucheux said. “Not only are they going to add millions in construction, they will also be adding a payroll of 8 to 10 with the possibility of more as future phases progress.”

Quixote CEO Mikel Elliott said his firm is looking forward to capitalizing on the continued growth of the film and entertainment industry in the greater New Orleans area.

“With so many high-profile film and television projects coming into the city, we will provide Hollywood-style experience and expertise in the Big Easy,” Elliott said in a release. “The studio’s location in the expansive and welcoming area of St. Rose and close proximity to the international airport should be particularly attractive to future film and television projects.”

Elliott said the state’s attractive tax credit programs, coupled with the abundance of historic locations in the region, helped the firm decide on the location in St. Charles Parish.

“The film industry in Louisiana accounted for an estimated $800 million in production dollars spent in 2011,” he said. “With better facilities and services provided by Quixote, we feel certain that number will continue to grow.”

Faucheux called the soundstage projects the parish’s first “big win” in an industry that has benefited all three River Parishes.

“We have been working with site selectors on this project for a year,” he said. “The studios will be our first hard asset, but it will work along with the other sites in the region that are close by.”

Faucheux said the facilities involved in phase two of the project, a pair of 30,000-square-foot stages, are scheduled to begin construction in early 2014 and will include production offices, mill, FX and other supporting facilities. The new Quixote stages will join the company’s year-old Studio Store in New Orleans.

“We are extremely grateful Quixote chose to develop the region’s largest soundstage in our community,” Parish President V.J. St. Pierre said. “We will do everything we can to ensure that Mikel and his team are successful and that Quixote has a long and prosperous future in St. Charles Parish.”