Film Las Cruces reports $10 million local spend, growth in worker days and locations

Andrew Hara, film liaison for Film Las Cruces, told the City Council that last year the local film office recorded roughly $10,000,000 in local production spending, 3,655 worker days and 114 production days, and that the office now supports a growing crew and location inventory. At the council work session, Hara summarized metrics the film office tracks and said the office exceeded several internal baselines: “Our baseline is a thousand days and this last year we got 3,655,” he said, referencing worker days. He added the office recorded a web traffic of roughly 82,000 page views and social-media reach of about 179,000. Nut graf: Film production can inject short-term spending into hotels, crew hiring and local vendors; Film Las Cruces reported a large increase in local spend and said a steady stream of productions this year has maintained momentum for location scouts, permits and crew hires. Hara outlined production metrics the office monitors: production permits (38 last year vs. a baseline of 15), production days (114 vs. a baseline of 140), location packages (55), location scouts (47), crew and vendor referrals (68 and 66 respectively) and a hotel-night count of 3,524. Hara said the office’s crew database has 813 registered crew members against a target of 280 and a location inventory of 1,060 against a 650 target. Hara described the film-permit role: permits are required for productions that disrupt public space or use city property; the office works closely with Las Cruces Police and Fire departments to accommodate short-notice scouts and shoots. He thanked city departments for assisting with traffic control and public‑safety coordination. The film office also cited workforce and training activity: internships with Dona Ana Community College and New Mexico State University, screenwriting workshops, wrap showcases and a growing list of film-friendly businesses. Hara said filmmaking-related activity has not stopped since January and that productions have come from domestic and international partners. Councilors thanked the film office; no action was taken. Hara said Film Las Cruces will continue to support industry outreach, training and location promotion. Ending: The film liaison encouraged continued interdepartmental coordination for permits and thanked city public safety and economic development staff for assistance.