This Small North Carolina Town Is Bringing A Hollywood Style Studio to Our State

Hello Brad Pitt, Meryl Streep and Bradley Cooper! Well, not yet but it probably won't be long.  This small North Carolina town is bringing a Hollywood style studio to our state. This is big news for the economy and even for actors in our area that are searching for an opportunity to be in movies or television.

Ascent Studios will reportedly be built in Nash County in the town of Spring Hope. That is about 35 miles east of Raleigh according to Channel 9 in Charlotte. And the plans are big.  It will span 200 acres.  In all that space there will be five major studios about 170,000 square feet.

On the expansive property there are lots of opportunity for location shots with plenty of fields, forests, roads, a barn and even a manor house already there. David Keaton with Ascent Studios says this facility will be a "major player in the film industry". Edwards Incorporated is building the facility.

The project is sure to bring many jobs to the Raleigh area for not just actors but for building craftsmen as well.  To learn more get all the details from Channel 9 right here.

The south is full of small towns. We talk about them often, and there are plenty to showcase. Then of course there are the major cities, which also get some respect and notoriety. But when you are craving a getaway where time really does slow down, and you can feel a part of the culture sometimes a small town is even too big. So perhaps plan a visit to a "tiny town". The experts over at Southern Living Magazine and their readers recently voted on a list of the South's Best Tiny Towns. And one tiny town in North Carolina was featured. Towns on the list are all under 10,000 population. And one in Texas has less than 100 residents who call it home.

In total twenty-one tiny towns were featured on this list. I've already told you one is in North Carolina, and it's a place I've visited countless times. There are also two coastal South Carolina tiny towns featured. There is also a Smoky Mountain town that's not too far from the North Carolina border. Additionally, another Tennessee town, and a couple from Georgia. While I haven't visited every place they included on this list, the ones I have been I'd recommend! So the next time you're in the mood for a weekend getaway perhaps try this tiny town in North Carolina or one of the others. Keep reading to see the North and South Carolina towns featured or you can read the full Southern Living analysis here.

Just outside of Boone sits Blowing Rock, NC. This quaint mountain town is somewhere I actually grew up going every summer. It's beautiful year round, and features a small quaint downtown with shopping, restaurants, a public park, welcoming inns, and multiple festivals. In the summer check out the monthly Art In The Park festival where artisans from around the country set up booths monthly or in the winter check out Blowing Rock Winterfest. You're a short drive from Boone, Banner Elk, and the area ski resorts. Plus Grandfather Mountain and Tweetsie Railroad.

Population: 1,397

Situated in the area of South Carolina south of Myrtle Beach, Georgetown offers a completely different feel. This town of just over 8,000 people sits on the Winyah Bay and is actually the third oldest city in the Palmetto State. Visitors can enjoy shopping and dining along the scenic waterfront, fishing, and boating, and tours documenting the town's rich history. And if you dare check out the ghost tours for a little spooky fun!

Population: 8,333

One of the beaches in the greater Charleston area is Folly Beach. Time here is spent away from the hustle and bustle of the holy city, but you're close enough for an easy day trip or meal. While at Folly, spend time on the newly renovated pier, and enjoying the beach. You'll also find appealing beach bars and casual eats. Folly is the perfect beach town for those who love to relax and unwind!

Population: 2,056

View the full list and Southern Living's analysis of these towns here.