Mayor Baraka announces City in talks to bring Hollywood Studio led by Whoopi Goldberg to Newark
Mayor Baraka announces the city in talks to bring
Hollywood Studio managed by Whoopi Goldberg in Newark
MBS Group, the largest organization of studio services in the world
and Whoopi Inc., the production company of the legendary artist
Will bring studios, jobs and affordable accommodation to the city
Newark, nj – May 9, 2025 – Mayor Ras J. Baraka announced today that the city of Newark was active discussion with the MBS group, the largest service service and production infrastructure company in the world, and its high -level Whoopi Inc. partner, led by a legendary artist and producer Whoopi Goldberg, to establish a major studio presence in Newark city.
The proposed development marks an important opportunity to position Newark as the first center of the east coast of television and film production – an investment ready to generate affordable housing, new jobs, local training programs and economic revitalization through the arts and entertainment sectors. Mayor Baraka, whose administration has prioritized cultural revitalization and fair development, considers this opportunity to be a daring step.
“This evolution with MBS is expanding my constant efforts to make the Newark buckle complete in its early days as world cinematographic capital,” said Mayor Baraka. “It widens the objective to encompass and enrich all aspects of urban life – employment and vocational training in housing. 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. ”
“We consider Newark as a natural home for this type of infrastructure,” said J. Wayman Henry, partner of Ms. Goldberg on this project and former president of economic development in West Orange. “It is the largest city in New Jersey, located in the center in the three states region, and supported by visionary leadership engaged in inclusive economic development. The history of Mayor Baraka, in particular in cultural growth, gave us great confidence. ”
The MBS group operates more than 50 emblematic studio campuses in eight countries, serving more than 600 sound stages and supporting more than 900 productions per year. Their vast world platform extends over more than 10 million square feet of real estate production and includes a full suite of technical and production services.
“This is an exciting and promising opportunity for our community,” said the director of cinema and television, desire Hadley. ” Mayor Baraka was a visionary with the search for creative means to help increase housing options while continuously improving our artistic community. This new studio development also underlines the endless offer of innovative initiatives that our mayors are implementing in our city. Whoopi Goldberg and MBS Studios could not have chosen a better place to develop cinematographic / television studios, joined with affordable accommodation. I am delighted with the way this development will encourage our young people to pursue careers in industry. »»
Jason Hairston, in chief studio and real estate manager for MBS, underlined the company's commitment to the long -term community partnership.
“Thanks to our initiative of” objective changes “, we actively invest in training, mentoring and job creation, in particular for historically under-represented communities,” said Mr. HaiSton. “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.”
Negotiations are expected to produce an official announcement in the coming months.
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