Is Stillwater a Film Ready Town?

 New Jersey's film and television production industry is booming, generating billions in economic activity and creating thousands of jobs. The Film Ready New Jersey program offers Stillwater Township a strategic, low-cost opportunity to tap into this growing industry while preserving our community's character and generating revenue for local businesses and the township.The Opportunity: Film Ready certification positions Stillwater as a preferred filming destination, bringing production crews, equipment, and spending directly into our community—without requiring major infrastructure investment or compromising our rural character.

Film Ready NJ is a 5-step certification program created by the New Jersey Motion Picture & Television Commission (NJMPTVC) that:

•Trains municipalities on how to host film and TV productions

•Standardizes permitting processes across the state

•Connects productions with certified communities through the state's location library

•Provides marketing support to certified towns

•Creates predictable fees and streamlined operations

Key Point: This is a state-supported program designed to make it easy for small towns like Stillwater to participate in the film industry boom.

Film productions bring immediate economic activity:

•Production crew spending: Food, lodging, gas, supplies from local businesses

•Location fees: Direct payments to property owners and the township

•Equipment rentals: Potential revenue for local contractors and suppliers

•Hospitality boost: Restaurants, coffee shops, and delis see increased traffic

Example: A single day of filming can involve 50-100 crew members, all needing meals, coffee, supplies, and services.

Our township has exactly what film scouts are looking for:

•Historic architecture: The First Presbyterian Church, old farms, vintage buildings

•Rural landscapes: Rolling hills, farmland, forests, Swartswood Lake

•Authentic small-town character: Main streets, country roads, pastoral settings

•Proximity to NYC: Only 60 miles from the largest film production market in the U.S.

Stillwater can serve as a filming location for:

•Period pieces (Revolutionary War, Colonial era, 19th century rural America)

•Contemporary rural dramas

•Hallmark-style films (small-town romance, holiday movies)

•Commercials featuring farms, nature, or authentic Americana

New Jersey's film industry is experiencing unprecedented growth:

•$674 million in direct spending from productions in 2023

•30-35% tax credit for qualifying productions

•Major studios expanding in NJ (Netflix, Lionsgate, etc.)

•Demand for diverse filming locations across the stateThe demand is there. 

Stillwater just needs to be ready to capture it.

•Municipal representatives attend a training session

•Learn about economic benefits, permitting, and ordinances

•Receive a toolkit and roadmap for certification

•Police and fire chiefs receive specialized training on production safetyCost: 

FREE

Time Commitment: One day

•Appoint a township employee (clerk, administrator, etc.) to coordinate with productions•This person becomes the point of contact for film scouts and production companiesCost: No additional staff needed—existing employee takes on this role

•Establish clear, predictable rules for filming

•Set reasonable permit fees (capped by the state)

•Allow weekend and night filming (with notice requirements)

•Include fee waiver provisions for non-profit/student projectsBenefit:

Creates a business-friendly environment while protecting residents

•Submit at least 8 locations with professional photos

•Locations are added to the NJ Location Library used by film scouts

•Township gets free marketing to production companies nationwideBenefit: Free professional marketing of Stillwater's scenic locations

•Provide list of at least 5 local businesses that can support productions

•Examples: Mengo's Pizza, Swartswood Deli, Hyde-Away, Campagna Coffee, local contractors, gas stations, lodgingBenefit: Direct business to our local economy

•Permit fees: Township sets fees for filming (state provides maximum fee schedule)

•Location fees: Property owners negotiate directly with productions

•Inconvenience fees: Businesses/residents can be compensated for disruptions

•Restaurant/cafe sales: Crew meals, catering, coffee runs

•Gas stations: Fueling production vehicles•Lodging: Crew accommodations (if available locally or in nearby towns)

•Hardware/supplies: Last-minute equipment needs

•Local hiring: Productions often hire local crew, security, and support staff

•Free publicity: Stillwater's name in film/TV credits

•Tourism boost: Fans visit filming locations ("film tourism")

•Enhanced reputation: Being "film-friendly" signals a progressive, business-welcoming community

No. The Film Ready ordinance includes:•Notice requirements: Residents and businesses are notified in advance

•Time restrictions: Standard filming hours (7am-9pm), with special approval for night shoots

•Traffic management: Productions must provide traffic control plans

•Public safety plans: Required before any filming begins

•Property protections: Filming on private property requires owner consentThe township maintains full control over when, where, and how filming occurs.

No. Film Ready is specifically designed for communities that want to preserve their character. In fact:

•Productions choose Stillwater because of its authentic rural character

•No permanent infrastructure changes are required

•Filming is temporary (typically 1-3 days per location)

•The ordinance can prohibit alterations to historic buildings or landscapes

Film Ready celebrates what makes Stillwater special—it doesn't change it.

No. Film Ready attracts:

•Independent films

•TV commercials

•Student films (often fee-waived)•Documentary crews

•Photography shoots

•Music videos

•Corporate videosEven small productions bring spending and visibility to the community.

Not a problem. Many productions:

•House crews in nearby towns (Newton, Sparta, etc.)•Use Airbnb or vacation rentals

•Bring their own mobile accommodations for short shootsStillwater benefits from day-of-shoot spending even if crews stay elsewhere.

Film Ready certification aligns perfectly with Stillwater's broader economic development strategy:

•Drives customers to existing restaurants, delis, and shops

•Creates new revenue streams for property owners

•Provides opportunities for local contractors and service providers

•Film industry jobs appeal to creative professionals

•Positions Stillwater as forward-thinking and opportunity-rich•Creates "cool factor" that makes the town more attractive

•Film scouts often seek farm locations•Productions can showcase Stillwater's agricultural heritage•Increases visibility of local farms to wider audiences

•Period films require authentic historic locations

•Creates financial incentive to maintain historic buildings

•Raises awareness of Stillwater's rich history

•No need for new construction or commercial sprawl

•Leverages existing assets (landscapes, buildings, character)

•Low-impact, high-return economic activity

Many New Jersey municipalities have successfully become Film Ready and are reaping the benefits:

•Lambertville: Historic river town, similar size to Stillwater, attracts frequent film shoots

•Clinton: Small rural town, Film Ready certified, hosts productions regularly

•Chester: Preserved historic character while welcoming film industry

•Cold Spring Village: Historic site that generates revenue through filmingThese towns prove that small, rural communities can benefit from Film Ready without compromising their character.

Month 1:

•Township Committee discusses Film Ready program

•Designate Film Ready liaison

•Register for next available workshop

Month 2-3:

•Attend Film Ready workshop•Draft film ordinance or code of conduct

•Identify 8+ filming locations

Month 4:

•Adopt film ordinance

•Upload locations to state database•

Submit local resources list

•Apply for certification

Month 5:

•Receive Film Ready certification•

Begin marketing Stillwater as film-friendly

•Wait for first production inquiries

Ongoing:

•Liaison coordinates with productions

•Township collects permit fees

•Local businesses benefit from crew spending

•Recertify every 2 years

•Workshop attendance: FREE

•Ordinance drafting: Minimal (can use state templates

)•Photography: Minimal (can use existing photos or volunteer photographers)

•Staff time: 10-20 hours total for initial certification

•Ongoing administration: 1-2 hours per production inquiry

Total estimated cost: $500-$1,000 (mostly staff time)

•Single day of filming: $5,000-$15,000 in local economic impact

•Permit fees: $500-$2,000 per production (depending on scale)

•Property location fees: $1,000-$5,000+ per location per day

ROI: Film Ready certification can pay for itself with a single production.

Stillwater Township faces a clear choice: we can continue to watch our population age, our school enrollment decline, and our commercial districts struggle—or we can take proactive steps to attract new economic activity and opportunity.

Film Ready certification is:

•Low-cost (under $1,000)

•Low-risk (township maintains full control)

•High-potential (even one production per year generates significant impact)

•Character-preserving (celebrates what makes Stillwater special)

•Business-friendly (supports existing local businesses)The film industry is booming in New Jersey. Stillwater has the locations, the character, and the proximity to NYC to capture a piece of this growing market.

Stillwater Town Hall urges the Township Committee to:

1.Explore Film Ready certification by attending an informational workshop

2.Designate a Film Ready liaison from existing township staff

3.Draft a film ordinance that balances economic opportunity with community protection4.Apply for Film Ready certification within 6 months5.Invite public discussion on how film production can support economic development goalsThis is not about turning Stillwater into Hollywood. It's about leveraging our natural assets to generate revenue, support local businesses, and create opportunities—all while preserving the rural character that makes our community special.

•NJ Film Commission: https://www.nj.gov/njfilm/

•Film Ready Program: https://www.nj.gov/njfilm/filmready-nj.shtml•Contact: NJFilm@njeda.gov | 973-648-6279

Prepared by Stillwater Town HallDate: December 2025

This proposal is provided for informational purposes to encourage community discussion about economic development opportunities in Stillwater Township. 

A film crew arrives in Stillwater to shoot a period drama at the First Presbyterian Church. Over three days:

•50 crew members eat breakfast at Campagna Coffee and lunch at Mengo's

•They fuel up at local gas stations and buy supplies from hardware stores

•The township collects $1,500 in permit fees

•The church receives $3,000 for location use

•Local contractors are hired for lighting and equipment support

Total local economic impact: $12,000+ in three days.

This isn't a fantasy—it's exactly what happens in Film Ready certified towns across New Jersey.

Stillwater has everything productions are looking for: historic architecture, rolling farmland, authentic rural character, and proximity to NYC. The state's Film Ready program provides free training, standardized permitting, and direct connections to production companies.

Cost to participate: Under $1,000
Potential return: Thousands per production
Impact on our character: Zero (we're chosen FOR our authenticity)

We've prepared a comprehensive proposal exploring how Film Ready certification could support our economic development goals while preserving what makes Stillwater special.

Should Stillwater pursue Film Ready certification? Let us know what you think.

#StillwaterNJ #FilmReadyNJ #EconomicOpportunity