A Berks County filmmaker and actor wants to build a $30 million film studio complex on land in Tamaqua.

The complex, Robert J. Morgalo said, would house the studios, a hotel, catering facility and day care center.

“We anticipate being very competitive with comparable film studios in New York City, New Jersey, Hudson Valley and Atlanta, Georgia. We believe that we will rapidly become the go-to film studio in the Northeast region,” Morgalo said when he announced his plans for OPF Film Studios of Tamaqua earlier this year.

The venture would create thousands of permanent and temporary jobs and thus, tax dollars would provide a boost to the local economy, Morgalo said.

He originally eyed Reading as the site for the film studios. But after hearing no commitment from city officials, he met with state Sen. David G. Argall, R-29, to discuss the Pennsylvania Film Tax Credit.

Argall turned Morgalo’s attention to Tamaqua.

He later met with Micah Gursky, executive director of the Tamaqua Area Community Partnership, and Daniel Evans, who heads the Tamaqua Community Revitalization Improvement Zone Authority, both of whom supported his vision of bringing the film industry to the borough.

CRIZ worked with Morgalo and issued a letter of commitment.

“Our investors are elated, and we are moving forward on bringing this $30 million, state-of-the-art film studio to Tamaqua,” Morgalo previously said.

Pennsylvania’s expanded film tax will allow the commonwealth to compete with other locales. In addition, Morgalo said Tamaqua will be attractive to many in the industry because of the tax incentives will be offered through both the Federal Opportunity Zone and CRIZ.

He said filmmakers can expect to save 20 to 30% of production costs in Tamaqua.

Morgalo is in discussions to buy about 50 acres of land within borough limits.