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Astoria is set to receive a bit more glitz and glamour after Astoria Kaufman studios broke ground on Stage K, a $22 million expansion project.

The new 44,000-square-foot stage and support space is meant to rival those famed backlots in Hollywood and is slated to be completed by next summer.

The studio is home to shows like “Sesame Street,” “Life on Mars” and Showtime’s “Nurse Jackie,” and has hosted recent film productions of “The Manchurian Candidate” and “The Stepford Wives.”

The announcement took place Monday at the site of the new studio on 36th Street between 34th and 35th avenues in Astoria with a bevy of execs, city officials and politicians in attendance.

Elmo, the lovable, red Muppet from Sesame Street, kicked off the groundbreaking.

“Let’s go stick some sticks in some dirt and celebrate,” he said.

A total of 18,000 square feet will be a devoted sound stage for film and television productions along with 22,000 square feet that will consist of dressing rooms, offices, prop rooms, makeup rooms and a carpentry shop.

The City footed $5 million of the overall bill administered through a funding agreement with New York City Economic Development Corporation and $2 million in grant and loan assistance from the Empire State Development Corporation.

Mayor Mike Bloomberg, who attended the groundbreaking, said the expansion would be a boon to the current, unsteady economy.

“The money goes right out into the economy and to local businesses,” he said.

The announcement follows long-line support of New York’s film industry from the mayor’s office, which includes a long list of tax incentives to shoot in the City.

“The importance of diversifying our economy is more obvious today than ever, and continued investments in New York City’s entertainment industry is one of ways we’ve been doing it,” the mayor said.

Pat Kaufman, of the governor’s office, furthered the stance of the state.

“Today, the film and television production industry are almost entirely driven by the availability and size of state incentives. Since tripling our incentives we’ve seen the amount of film and television projects coming into New York almost double,” she said, noting she was not related to the studio heads. “KAS’s expansion, along with the state’s newly enhanced tax credit incentive, means New York will continue to remain one of the world’s premiere locations for film production.”

Assemblyman Michael Gianaris (D-Astoria), who was in attendance, said he planned to expand incentives even more.

“New York’s film industry is a bright spot of success during the current economic downturn. It is crucial that we continue to diversify our economy so we are less reliant on Wall Street for our state and city budgets,” Gianaris said.

Borough President Helen Marshall also said the project would further legitimize Queens’ film industry.

“I’m always bragging about Queens’ movie industry,” she said. “Now I’m going to brag even more.”