🌱 Local Film Industry Sees Growth + Cause Of Courthouse Collapse

Hello all. It's me, Danielle Fallon-O'Leary, your host of the Savannah Patch newsletter — back in your inbox with everything you need to know about what's happening in our community.

But first, today's weather:

Partly sunny and nice. High: 80 Low: 64.

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Here are the top three stories today in Savannah:

1. The Savannah film industry has seen a huge growth in revenue, according to Charles Bowen, the founder of the Savannah Film Alliance. Speaking to an audience of business leaders at The State of Small Business in Chatham County event, Bowen said that in 2019, Savannah saw $226M in film revenue and that number increased to $440 million in 2022. Bowen said that several productions are set to film in Savannah in the coming months, and he expects that trend to continue with the construction of a 130,000-square-foot movie studio that is slated to open in West Chatham in late 2024. (WSAV)
2. The cause of a floor collapse in the 124-year-old federal courthouse downtown has been determined. According to the General Services Administration, the government agency that is overseeing the renovations, the collapse was due to "insufficient support beneath the third floor." Three construction workers were injured during the collapse, falling to the floor below. Renovation on the courthouse is currently paused while crews clean up debris and stabilize the area. The injured workers are reportedly doing well and expected to fully recover. (News 4 Jax)
3. A Savannah woman is dealing with the aftermath of an incident where she said someone threw a brick at her car from an overpass. Eileen Boyd teaches people how to drive through the company she runs, Allied Learning Center LLC. In February, she was with a student driver heading down East Gwinnett Street when they heard an impact on the top of the vehicle. Boyd checked for damage and discovered several bricks in the roadway, and the police report agreed with Boyd's assessment that the bricks were thrown. Boyd wants a barrier constructed to avoid this situation in the future, but the city and Department of Transportation denied her since the overpass is the property of a railroad company. (WJCL)

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Today in Savannah:

• Cinco de Mayo Fiesta Latina Dance Party - Plant Riverside District (6:00 PM)
• Savannah Jazz Annual Circle Of Friends Gig Cinco de Mayo Style - Ships Of The Sea Maritime Museum (6:30 PM)
• Diva Royale Drag Queen Show - Elan Savannah (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Chatham County Parks and Recreation is seeking donations of child-sized life jackets. Donations will help restock the boat ramp and can be dropped off at the Chatham County Aquatic Center. (Chatham County Parks and Recreation via Facebook)
• A Community Field Day is happening tomorrow! Hosted by the Savannah Police Department, this event will occur at Carver Village Park from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will have music, food, games, and special guest McGruff the Crime Dog. (Savannah Police Department via Facebook)
• The City of Savannah has announced a Basketball Day Camp starting next month. The camp is open to children aged 6-12. Registration is available at Tompkins Center or by calling (912) 651-6789. (City of Savannah Government via Facebook)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Friday. I'll see you soon!

— Danielle Fallon-O'Leary

About me: Danielle Fallon-O’Leary is a content manager with content creation agency Lightning Media Partners and assists Patch.com with community newsletter curation. Danielle also holds a Master’s Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders and works part-time as a pediatric speech therapist.