Atlanta's loss is New Orleans gain. A major film production is relocating to Louisiana from Georgia because of controversial voting laws in the peach state.
"Will Smith, the actor, and his film Emancipation are moving from Georgia to Louisiana," New Orleans Spokesman Beau Tidwell announced. "They made the decision to move that project... to New Orleans based on the voter laws that were passed in Georgia recently."
He says the runaway slave drama is the first major motion picture to relocate here from Georgia, but likely will not be the last.
"There are anticipated to be more to come," Tidwell stressed. "New Orleans is a welcoming city."
The city's communications director said this will have significant economic impact for New Orleans and bring much needed work to the industry.
"I know it was initially budgeted at around $100 million," according to Tidwell. "We are glad to have them."
The new 98-page Georgia election law includes voter ID provisions, expands early voting and restricts mail voting.
Republicans say it makes the voting process more secure and helps prevent fraud.
Democrats say it makes it more difficult for minorities and poor voters to cast ballots.
