Hangar 42 looks to bring more movies to West Michigan

WALKER, Mich. (NEWSCHANNEL 3) – During her final State of the State address Wednesday night, Governor Jennifer Granholm made a not so subtle reference to Michigan's growing movie industry.

“From here on out, let's make movies in Michigan and let California make the budget dramas,” said Granholm.

In 2009, 39 films were shot either in part, or entirely in the State of Michigan. That includes current Best Picture nominee, Up in the Air.

The number of films shot in Michigan is expected to grow with the opening of another movie studio in West Michigan.

Hangar 42 is one of a kind in Kent County, a major film studio in Walker, and it's all about jobs, with the possibility of hundreds and hundreds of jobs coming to the big space, a 307,000 square foot sound stage, part of Hanger 42 Studios.

The finishing touches are being put on the former Lear plant on Alpine Avenue. According to Rick Hert of the West Michigan Tourist Association, Michigan is one of only three states offering aggressive film incentives to bring in new projects and the jobs that go with them.

“Last year, Michigan had $225 million worth of filming in the state,” said Hert, “this space could hold five or six projects at the same time. There's already been talks with people across the country to bring movies here.”

Hanger 42 is expected to be fully operational in February, and in January a movie shot scenes inside the sound stage, and there are big dreams about what could happen inside the studio walls.

Currently there are about 150 people working at Hanger 42 Studios, doing various jobs. It cost about $45 million to purchase and renovate the building.