Lights, Camera, Tax Credits: Las Vegas Pursues Hollywood Hub with 19,000 Jobs

Nevada is once again eyeing a bold expansion into the entertainment sector, as labor unions and state officials revive a proposal for a $6.7 billion film-studio project in the Las Vegas area. The plan envisions major industry players such as Sony Pictures Entertainment and Warner Bros. Discovery building a comprehensive production hub in the suburbs of Las Vegas, with backers touting the potential creation of approximately 19,000 construction jobs.

The proposed development, known as “Summerlin Studios,” would feature ten soundproof production stages, hotel and retail components, and a mixed-use district near the West Las Vegas community of Summerlin. Proponents contend that the facility could help diversify Nevada’s economy beyond tourism and gaming by creating high-earning jobs and drawing a new wave of visitors.

To lure the studios, the state may offer up to $95 million in tax credits—though the legislation narrowly failed earlier this year and is expected to be revisited during a special session. Critics, including the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, argue the incentives offer a modest return on investment and divert resources from public services like education and healthcare.

Nevada’s tourism industry recently recorded an 11.3 percent drop in visitors year-over-year from June 2024 to June 2025. Supporters of the film-studio plan argue that a production hub could attract a wider variety of tourists and enhance Nevada’s appeal beyond the casino floor. Still, whether the proposed economic boost will materialize remains uncertain until legislation passes and the build-out begins.