LANSING – State Representative Kate Ebli (D-Monroe) today supported a bipartisan plan – which passed the House – to create good-paying jobs 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.
"When film crews set up in a community to make a movie, they bring production jobs to our state and give our local economies an immediate boost," Ebli said. "Our film incentive initiative is just one of the many innovative ways we can make Michigan a magnet for investment dollars and create jobs now for our residents."
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 have seen film spending rise. Louisiana, for example, saw spending rise from $7 million in 2003 to $350 million in 2006.
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.
"One of my priorities as a State Representative is increasing the tourism dollars that flow into our state, because that will create jobs now for our residents," said Ebli, who is chair of a bipartisan state panel aimed at boosting tourism. "When film crews use our communities as a backdrop for their films, the state of Michigan essentially becomes a 'product placement' for a national audience. By showing the rest of the country how much the Great Lakes State has to offer, we will attract attention and bring good-paying jobs to our communities."