Surprising development

Friday, June 5, 2009 | 2:05 a.m.

Meetings of the Clark County Commission always generate news, but rarely do they produce the kind announced Tuesday.

Attending was Jim Jannard, founder and CEO of Red Digital Cinema, whose equipment has been used to shoot “Angels and Demons” and several other movies. He spoke to the commission about a project on which he and local economic development officials have collaborated for the past several months.

Jannard is planning to manufacture his cameras at an 80-acre site in the far southwest valley, and to build a sound studio there along with homes for himself and others who work in the movie industry.

A member of Red Digital Cinema’s board of directors told the commission that the compound, when completed, will employ from 1,000 to 2,000 people, which would be a godsend given how hard this area has been hit by the recession.

Jannard has such a history of success that his plans are taken seriously, despite disappointments in the past wrought by entrepreneurs whose proposals never panned out.

In 1975 Jannard founded Oakley Inc., the company that became famous for its sunglasses and sports eyeware. Forbes magazine last year estimated Jannard has about $3 billion in assets.

The Nevada Development Authority, which works to attract businesses to Southern Nevada, helped Jannard find the 80 acres and is assisting Red Digital Cinema with paperwork required by local governments.

Somer Hollingsworth, the NDA’s president and CEO, said at the commission meeting, “This is the granddaddy, this is the one you always try to bring in, one that comes along maybe once in a career.”

As for Jannard, he told commissioners he wants to create “a facility that we’re proud of, something that fits, something that makes sense to the community.”

The commission itself made sense when voting to approve some zoning changes for the project, clearing an initial hurdle. Las Vegas would greatly benefit from a closer relationship with Hollywood, and this could be the start.