Dr. Jabari Simama, President of Georgia Piedmont College, told the Board of Commissioners Tuesday night the school will be introducing a three-tract film and television production program this fall. 

"We have been generally aware of film and television production's impact on your economy and tourism," he said, adding that the college had wanted to introduce the production program for some time. "We have decided to move up the date for the film and television production program [to begin]."

The first tract will begin this September, and is aimed at continuing eduction and workforce development residents who "want to be part of the industry and want to get training quickly," he said. 

The class, "Film and Movie Production Assistant (P.A.)," will be held on Monday and Wednesday evenings, Sept.14 through Nov. 7, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Newton Campus, 8100 Bobby Williams Pkwy, Covington. The cost of the course is $649, and financial aid is available. Registration is open now. For more information, call (404) 297-9522, ext. 1121 or email contedu@gptc.edu.

The second tract will start in the spring and leads to an associate degree in film and television production. The third, to begin next year, is a high school initiative, which allows high school students to get college credits for courses taken.

"It's a comprehensive program," Simama said," that will benefit the citizens of Newton County."