LANSING – State Representative Terry Brown (D-Pigeon) today voted for a bipartisan plan to create good-paying jobs and provide an immediate boost to our state's economy by attracting the film industry to Michigan using the best incentives in the nation. The House and Senate are moving rapidly on a comprehensive package that will make Michigan one of the most convenient and most affordable locations for production work.
"This film industry incentive package will help us create jobs and boost our economy immediately, which is my top priority," Brown said. "The Thumb is a beautiful, geographically diverse place that can serve as a backdrop for all kinds of movies. By attracting filmmakers – both from Hollywood and the commercial film industry – we can create jobs for our workers and get more money flowing into our local businesses. We need to act now to make Michigan the best place for the film industry to do business."
Under the plan, filmmakers in Michigan would enjoy at least a 40 percent tax credit, the biggest tax break for the film industry in the nation. Other tax incentives for private investments, loan programs and job-training expense credits would help make Michigan one of the best bargains for production work. The plan also opens up state and local government sites such as parks, buildings, roads and landmarks to be used free and easily.
According to testimony heard in a joint House-Senate committee hearing last week, the film industry is already buzzing over the film incentive package, and executives are running budgets to see how much they would save by coming to Michigan.
Recent movies filmed in Michigan have infused millions of dollars into our economy. "Semi-Pro," for example, which was filmed in Flint in 2007, poured $1.3 million in to the Michigan economy in less than a week through purchases and local hires. States that have been out in front have seen film spending rise in their state. Louisiana, for example, saw spending rise from $7 million in 2003 to $350 million in 2006.
"Production companies are making decisions right now about where to take their business, and I want to make sure that Michigan is at the top of their list," Brown said. "Attracting the film industry is a tremendous job creation opportunity that we cannot afford to miss."