Walker's new Hangar42 Studios to provide job opportunities in film production

By Sharon Hanks

When the huge Lear Corp. automotive parts factory closed its doors in Walker a few years ago, the vacant 68-year-old building could have easily turned into a big white elephant.

But thanks to private investors and generous tax incentives by the city and state, the nearly 500,000-square-foot site has been transformed into Hangar42 Studios, a comprehensive, full-service film production studio that officials say may employ up 1,000 workers within three years.

The sound stages range in size from 1,000 to 300,000 square feet, with a 45-foot ceiling height, making it the largest in the world, studio officials say, and allow for big-budget Hollywood productions.

Owned by a group of local investors, the studio at 2150 Alpine Ave. NW is now actively accepting resumes at its website for 50 to 60 full-time administrative positions. While no job descriptions are posted, workers are encouraged to submit information as to what they could offer the studio.

Once film production heats up, more workers could be needed to provide assistance with a wide range of services, such as hair, costumes, props, filming, sound, grips -- everything one can imagine that a movie producer might need.

The studio also wants to forge strategic partnerships with vendors of services and supplies who can submit information on the website as well.

"We're just excited to get this off the ground," says Rick Hert, executive director of the West Michigan Tourist Association and film commissioner of the West Michigan Film Office. Developers "laid low deliberately" because they wanted to make sure the project was off and running.

"In the past, others have jumped the gun and we didn't want to be in that position," Hert says. "We're just now going out actively to market the studios. We've had significant interest from a number of film producers who are interested in coming to see the space. We'll have some announcements real soon."

Hanger42 is being billed as "Michigan's first full-financed major film studio to open utilizing the infrastructure credit as part of the Michigan Film Credit and is a major milestone in the continued development of the state's film industry."

Hangar42 Studios will offer world-class studio services with production support, pre and post-production space, financial services, office space, screening rooms, storage, cafeteria and concierge services.

The factory was built in 1942 by the U.S. government to manufacture parts for military airplanes and boats. It later was a General Motors parts plant and most recently a Lear seat-trim factory. Local investors invested $45 million to purchase and renovate 450,000 square feet with a 50,000-square-foot mezzanine to be added later.

Sources: Rick Hert, executive director of the West Michigan Tourist Association and film commissioner of the West Michigan Film Office; Tara Powers of Lambert, Edwards & Associates of Grand Rapids; Hangar42 Studio's website.

Sharon Hanks is the innovations and jobs news editor at Rapid Growth Media. She can be reached at [email protected].