LANSING – The Michigan House has advanced a bipartisan plan that will create jobs and boost Michigan's economy by attracting the film industry to our state with the most competitive film incentive package in the country, making Michigan one of the easiest and most affordable states for production work.
"These film incentives will make us competitive with other states for production work and make Michigan a magnet for the film industry," said State Representative Fred Miller (D-Mount Clemens), who is one of the lead sponsors of the plan. "By getting moving this plan forward, we will help to immediately create jobs and jumpstart our economy."
The bipartisan film incentive package would make it easier and more affordable for production companies to film in Michigan. Under the plan, Michigan filmmakers would enjoy a 40 percent tax credit, the biggest tax break for the film industry in the entire nation. In addition, other tax incentives, loan programs and job training expense credits would make Michigan one of the most inexpensive states for production work. The incentive package also opens up state properties such as parks, buildings, roads and landmarks to be used with ease, cutting the red tape producers normally would have to go through to film in our state.
The package received support this week from Michigan actor Jeff Daniels, author and Detroit Free Press columnist Mitch Albom, Michigan film producers and other advocates of the film industry at a joint committee hearing of the House Commerce Committee and the Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee.
The film plan will capitalize on "set-jetting," a tourism phenomenon in which people visit those places where their favorite television shows or movies were filmed. For years, Mackinac Island has seen the rewards of set-jetting because of the movie "Somewhere in Time," which starred Jane Seymour and the late Christopher Reeve, and was filmed at the Grand Hotel in 1979. A fan club hosts an annual weekend on Mackinac Island to celebrate the film, bringing visitors and dollars to the local economy.
"Every time a Michigan community is used as a backdrop for a movie, we essentially get a giant 'product placement' for our state," Miller said. "By showing audiences around the country what Michigan has to offer, we will spur visits to the state and pump vital dollars into our tourism industry."