Though only nearly winning 'X-Men' filming, Savannah says film incentives are a big win for the city, Georgia

Flickr user JPhilipson

With the new "X-Men: First Class" hopping in theaters, the Savannah area is quite happy that the movie was filmed down the road on Jekyll Island.

(Even if the closer Tybee Island lost out.)

Officials say they see it as a sign that Georgia's tax credits for movie and TV production are doing quite well and that Georgia's overall approach is benefiting Savannah with direct revenue, even if the movies don't land directly on Savannah's doorstep. 

To get a rundown of what's happening, watch WSAV's video report here.

If you'd like to tie this directly to South Carolina, consider that our state's film incentives are frequently questioned for being effective — it's a question that's doubly relevant as Beaufort begins to note an absence of big movie production.

And you could go really far-reaching and take it as some salt in the ongoing "does economic development make a difference" debate.

What do you think?