The municipality is moving forward with plans to attract more film productions to the area.
Local native Ashley Renders has been hired for the role of Economic Development Officer, FLiCK Liaison.
FLiCK, or Filming Locally in Chatham-Kent, is a program launched last July, offering assistance to film production companies to support their projects, including location scouting, permit assistance, and access to local crews, talent, and equipment.
Renders, who was raised in Chatham-Kent before moving away to build a career in the film industry, most recently working as an associate producer at Scythia Films.
In her new municipal role, Renders will be tasked with investigating and researching the potential for Chatham-Kent to become a film industry destination.
In November, 2023, council approved spending $135,000 to hire someone for one year to explore attracting film production to boost the local economy.
“I’m thrilled to bring my experience in the international film industry back to my hometown,” Renders said in a news release. “Chatham-Kent has so much potential and I’m eager to uncover new economic opportunities for our community and to help highlight everything that our beautiful region has to offer.”