By Barbara A. Preston for The Montgomery News | Posted Feb. 20, 2026 (1 pm)
Montgomery Township officials voted unanimously on Feb. 19 to move forward with an ordinance to secure “Film Ready” certification, a designation that is expected to streamline the process for filmmakers and bring new economic activity to the community.
The initiative, championed by the New Jersey Motion Picture and Television Commission (NJMPTVC), aims to standardize film regulations across the state’s 563 municipalities.
David Schoner, senior advisor to the NJMPTVC, spoke to the Township Committee on Feb. 19 about the program, which is part of a larger push for film infrastructure across New Jersey.
The “Film Ready” status will provide filmmakers with a universal set of rules and guidelines, making Montgomery a more attractive location for production companies.
The economic impact is already evident. Township officials noted that a recent shoot for the movie “A Complete Unknown,” a biopic on the life of Bob Dylan featuring Timothée Chalamet, generated nearly $27,000 for local small businesses, even though the town’s scenes produced at the Stoutsburg Sourland African American Museum (SSAMM) on Hollow Road were ultimately cut from the final film.
“It really is about the economic development, and it’s also about local businesses being patronized and local people working,” Schoner said.
Complementing the local effort is a statewide focus on workforce development.
Jessica Paolini, Somerset County’s manager of Economic Development, voiced support for the certification, highlighting the role of Raritan Valley County College. The college is launching new training programs as part of the New Jersey Film Academies initiative, focusing on high-demand skills such as hair, makeup, and special effects for film and TV.
“The county college also has something called P.A. Bootcamp [pabootcamp.com] ... It’s a great two-day program for someone who wants to get into this field,” Schoner added, stressing the availability of great-paying, middle-class union jobs for grips, gaffers, and cosmetologists that don’t require being a “star or celebrity.”
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Schoner told Montgomery Township Committee about the state’s efforts to build studio infrastructure in New Jersey, mentioning the partners — Netflix, Lionsgate, and Paramount — each committed to building studio space.
He addressed the geographical challenges, noting that Montgomery lies slightly outside the “studio zone,” the 30-mile unionized circumference from Columbus Circle in New York City.
However, the state is working aggressively to push film production into central and southern New Jersey, ensuring that Film Ready communities such as Montgomery Township are actively promoted to the industry.
“If there’s, um, land in Montgomery, or, um, a building, that they can come into, usually, [the studios] like about 13 acres. That is the ideal,” Schoner said.
A township committee member suggestively asked, “How about 300 acres?,”referring to the 300-plus-acre former Johnson & Johnson/Kenvue property in Skillman.
That property was recently acquired by EKahn Development, which plans to build either residential units, light manufacturing, or a mix of both — depending on what township officials and a judge will allow.
It’s exciting and wonderful to talk about all these different developments and opportunities that are going on in New Jersey right now, Schoner said.
“Netflix in Fort Monmouth, is the biggest thing. When the Feds decommissioned the U.S. Army base, you know, the area suffered. Uh, suffered a lot. Business in the area dropped. So Netflix has been an amazing community partner with both Ocean Port and with Eatontown.”
Netflix bought the 290+ acre former Fort Monmouth army base in Oceanport and Eatontown for $55 M and is transforming it into a massive $1 billion TV and film production hub.
“And they do a lot of community benefits besides all the traditional things that you would think,” Schoner said.
With the necessary components of the certification process nearing completion, Montgomery officials are optimistic that the “Film Ready” designation will soon be official, opening the door for more large-scale film and television projects.
The Montgomery News asked Montgomery Mayor Neena Singh whether Kenvue could become a TV and Film Prodcution hub.
"Anything is possible," she said. "The new owner [Eli Kahn], if he wishes to pursue this path, can work with the state or Somerset county film commission to look into opportunities."
