Shreveport was buzzing with excitement on the steps of Government Plaza as members of the city council and Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson gathered to symbolically sign the lease for the former Millennium Studios.

Mayor Tom Arceneaux declared April 18, Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson day as well as gave him the key to the city. This is the first public presentation of a key that the mayor has made.

“Ladies, gentlemen, Mayor Tom Arceneaux and the wonderful people of Shreveport, it is an honor for me to stand before you here today. As someone who’s always believed in the transformative power of music, film and television I’m really excited to show you the expansion of film and television through G-Unit Studio right here in Shreveport,” said Jackson.

50 Cent entered into an agreement with the City of Shreveport to lease the city-owned production studio at 300 Douglas Street for 30 years at a yearly rate of $2,400.

The crowd during the 50 Cent press conference in front of Government Plaza to sign the lease for G-Unit Studios in Shreveport Thursday afternoon, April 18, 2024.© Henrietta Wildsmith/The Times

According to prior reporting, Mayor Tom Arceneaux said this agreement will save the city nearly $180,000 annually.

This revitalization of Millennium Studios is expected to have a cascading effect on job creation, attracting talent to the area and contributing to the overall economic resurgence of Shreveport.

Jackson said, “I am excited about this opportunity,” claiming G-Unit Studios will mirror the Tyler Perry studio in Atlanta to a degree.

“The world is watching you today Shreveport,” said Orville Hall, who worked alongside 50 Cent’s G-Unit Studios during this process.

He continued by saying, “sometimes God does this, he finds places that become a light to everybody else. Shreveport is about to be a light to the rest of the world.”

Jackson said to expect projects coming out of G-Unit Studios starting as early as July.

This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson and Shreveport mayor sign lease to launch G-Unit Studios