CEDAR PARK, Texas — Cedar Park is the first city in Texas to become a "Digital Media Friendly Texas Certified Community."
"Words can't really describe it," Arthur Jackson, Cedar Park's chief economic development officer, said. "Just excited, ready to build off of what this really means."
It's a new program launched by the Texas Film Commission to build statewide connections, training and resources.
Jackson said it took a couple of months for the city to complete. He hopes it will make Cedar Park more attractive to film, video game and virtual reality companies.
"Three things: attract, cultivate and educate – so attract businesses, more investment, more talent here and education," Jackson said. "The digital vibe is real in Texas."
To make this happen, the city had to create a digital media committee, a digital media liaison and dive into workshops with the Texas Film Commission.
Jackson spoke about well-known gaming livestreamer SypherPK, which built Oni Studios in Cedar Park.
"So we're going to continue to leverage that and bring in more digital and creative talent and businesses to Cedar Park," Jackson said.
Jackson said commercials are also already being shot in Cedar Park.
The owner of Hiatt Films, Trevan Hiatt, said his company uses the local parks, Airbnbs and other locations in Cedar Park to shoot commercials.
"Cedar Park is great because it's a little bit out of the city center, but we still have access to all the talent," Hiatt said. "There's beautiful landscapes."
Gov. Greg Abbott congratulated Cedar Park on its achievement.
"It's going to get the attention of people nationally, maybe internationally," Jackson said. "I think this really just underscores that Cedar Park is about innovation, and it's where innovation is happening."