Arlington Designated Digital Media Friendly Texas Certified Community
Published on September 16, 2026
By Office of the Governor
AUSTIN – The Texas Economic Development & Tourism Office within the Office of the Governor today announced the City of Arlington has been designated by the Texas Film Commission as a Digital Media Friendly Texas Certified Community after completing the multi-step certification process. The Digital Media Friendly Texas program helps spur digital media production across the state and grow local jobs in animation, visual effects, video games, and extended reality.
“Texas is a leader in innovation,” said Governor Greg Abbott. “Building on our state’s long history of film and television production, industry leaders in Texas now play a major role in digital media production. I thank the Texas Film Commission for working with our communities to help market their existing assets, unique attributes, and skilled workforce to attract new investments in digital media production and grow local jobs.”
Arlington is now a “Grand Slam” winner as a Film Friendly Texas, Music Friendly Texas, Tourism Friendly Texas, and Digital Media Friendly Texas Certified Community.
“Congratulations to the City of Arlington on earning its Digital Media Friendly Texas Certified Community designation and joining the exclusive ranks of cities who have reached the ‘Grand Slam’ milestone,” said Senator Phil King. “Their dedicated pursuit of these designations underscores Arlington's commitment to capitalizing on opportunities that drive economic growth and create good-paying jobs for hardworking Texans. This achievement is another example of why Arlington is proudly known as the ‘The American Dream City.’”
“Digital media is transforming the way communities compete for talent, investment, and economic opportunity, and we are excited to position our community at the forefront of that transformation,” said Arlington Mayor Jim Ross. “This recognition strengthens our ability to attract technology-driven industries, support local creative professionals, and develop new opportunities for our workforce. We look forward to working with the Texas Film Commission and our community partners to create lasting economic benefits for our city and the region.”
“Achieving the Digital Media Friendly Texas Certified Community designation is a tremendous accomplishment for Arlington,” said City Manager Trey Yelverton. “We are especially proud to become the fourth city in Texas to achieve the ‘Grand Slam’ milestone of earning Film Friendly Texas, Music Friendly Texas, Tourism Friendly Texas, and Digital Media Friendly Texas certifications through the Office of the Governor. These designations demonstrate our commitment to creating a community that welcomes creative industries, attracts new investment, and embraces opportunities for economic growth. We are excited to build on this momentum and showcase all that Arlington has to offer to businesses, productions, talent, and visitors from across Texas and beyond.”
The Digital Media Friendly Texas designation is open to local governments or non-profit economic development and tourism organizations in communities of all sizes and experience levels. The Digital Media Friendly Texas designation showcases certified communities to attract new digital media production and grow local jobs. The program also connects digital media professionals in Texas with job listings and networking opportunities. Additionally, the program educates communities about the importance of digital literacy to help close the digital divide.
For more information on the Digital Media Friendly Texas Certified Community program, visit: gov.texas.gov/film/page/dmftx_overview.
For more than 50 years, the Texas Film Commission in the Texas Economic Development & Tourism Office within the Office of the Governor has helped grow local jobs and economies by promoting Texas as the premier destination for film, television, commercial, animation, visual effects, video game, and extended reality production
The Texas Economic Development & Tourism Office (EDT) within the Office of the Governor is tasked with marketing and promoting the state of Texas across the nation and around the world as the premier business location and travel destination. EDT works closely with communities and local, regional, and statewide economic development and tourism organizations, as well as partnering state agencies, to ensure Texas remains the best place to live, work, and visit.