Chicago Deputy Director of Communications Ryan Johnson promoted a multimillion-dollar investment in a new South Shore media campus in a tweet published on Feb. 6.

"This $100 million investment to develop a new, state-of-the-art media campus in the South Shore neighborhood will expand educational opportunities for young people and equip them with the skills they need to thrive and succeed in the film and media industry," Johnson wrote. "Over the last year, Chicago has served as the production center for 15 current, premiered or upcoming television series, including some of the most highly rated and critically acclaimed series on the air."

Developers have broken ground on the $100 million Regal Mile Film Studios located in Chicago's South Shore neighborhood, according to a Feb. 6 article by Block Club Chicago attached to Johnson's tweet. The facility is expected to bring job opportunities and economic prosperity to the area, all while improving Chicago's film industry and attracting young people of color interested in media production. Regal Mile Film Studios will also offer educational initiatives for said young people in addition to giving them opportunities to work in film and television production.

Following the facility's completion, the abandoned properties located at 1431-1525 East 77th St. and on 7700 blocks of South Blackstone, South Chicago, Harper and Stony Island Avenues will be converted into a 380,000-square-foot media campus. Approximately 220,000 square feet of film studio space will also be included in the project. Construction is expected to begin in late 2023 and be completed by the end of 2024.

“Through this $100 million investment to develop a new, state-of-the-art media campus in the South Shore neighborhood, INVEST South/West will expand educational opportunities for young people and equip them with the skills they need to thrive and succeed in the film and media industry,” Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot said in a recent press release. “I am thrilled that this project not only puts community voices front and center, but also enhances Chicago’s presence in the entertainment industry. Ultimately, this development will support our South Side residents and contribute to our prosperous, post-pandemic recovery.”