LANSING – House Democrats today passed 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 film 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.
"Few states can provide the motion picture industry with what Michigan can," said State Representative Fred Miller (D-Mount Clemens), who is a lead sponsor of the plan. "From our beautiful coastlines to our vibrant cities, we have it all here. All we needed was a plan to make us competitive with incentives other states are providing. This legislation not only does that – it exceeds what other states are doing. I'm pleased that lawmakers from both sides of the aisle worked together to rapidly advance a package that loudly proclaims, "Lights…camera…job creation!"
According to testimony heard in a joint committee hearing last week, the film industry is already buzzing with excitement over the film incentive package and is running budgets to see how much they would save by coming to Michigan.
The bipartisan film incentive package would make it more affordable for production companies to film in Michigan. Under the plan, Michigan filmmakers would enjoy at least a 40 percent tax credit, the biggest tax break for the film industry in the nation. In addition, other tax incentives for private investments, loan programs and job-training expense credits would make Michigan one of the best bargains for production work. The incentive package also opens up state and local government property such as parks, buildings, roads and landmarks to be used for free and with ease.
Recently, movies filmed in Michigan have infused millions of dollars into the economy. The movie "Semi-Pro,"
which was filmed in Flint in 2007, brought in $1.3 million to the Michigan economy in less than one week through
purchases and local hires. "8 Mile," which was filmed in Detroit for four months, pumped $7.2 million into the local
economy. States that have
been out in front on this issue have seen film spending rise in their state. Louisiana, for example, saw spending rise
from $7 million in 2003 to $350 million in 2006.
"It's important that we move quickly to get this legislation to the governor's desk," Miller said. "When the weather starts to warm up, we want all of those film productions looking at locations for their big spring push to see the things Michigan can offer them that other states cannot."
Miller also noted the benefits the productions would bring to Michigan.
"These film productions act as a great advertisement for our state," Miller said. "I, for one, can't wait to see
Mount Clemens up there on the big screen."