Newark, NJ – Newark is trying to bring a “Hollywood studio led by Whoopi Goldberg” to the City, officials announced on Friday.
According to Mayor Ras Baraka, Newark officials are in active discussion with the MBS group and its partner Whoopi Inc., led by the famous artist. The goal? “Establish a major presence in the studio” in the largest city in New Jersey.
Negotiations are expected to produce an official announcement in the coming months, said the mayor's office.
Baraka said discussion was part of the effort to “make the full loop finish in Newark in its beginnings as global cinematographic capital.
“We have always known that Newark provides all the necessary elements in large -scale production, and it is our chance to present the full spectrum of locations and talents to seal Newark as the first capital of the entertainment industry,” said Baraka.
“We consider Newark as a natural home for this type of infrastructure,” said J. Wayman Henry, a partner of Goldberg on the project and former president of economic development in West Orange.
Henry quoted “the city's commitment to inclusive economic development” as a reason for their “formidable confidence” in the future.
“In Newark, we are impatient to collaborate with local leaders, unions, educational establishments and non -profit organizations to build a diversified and qualified local crew base,” said Jason Hairston, chief studio and real estate manager for MBS.
The Newark office of the director of the director of Desireé Hadley said that the proposal is “an exciting and promising opportunity”.
“Whoopi Goldberg and MBS Studios could not have chosen a better place to develop cinematographic / television studios, joined affordable accommodation,” said Hadley. “I am delighted with the way this development will encourage our young people to pursue careers in industry.”
According to a spokesperson for the city, the discussion with the MBS group and Whoopi Inc. is not linked to the Lionsgate project, a plan to create a huge television and cinema studio in Newark which was announced in 2022.
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