LANSING – House Democrats today announced 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 help us immediately create jobs and boost our economy," said State Representative Andy Meisner (D-Ferndale), Chair of the House Commerce Committee. "It's imperative that we get this plan moving now, so we can compete with other states for motion pictures and other commercial productions."
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 today 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.
"There's no better way to tout Michigan as a tourist destination than with a giant 'product placement' of our state in a major motion picture," said State Representative Mary Valentine (D-Norton Shores), a lead sponsor of the plan. "We need to show everyone what Michigan has to offer. The Great Lakes, our city centers and a host of picturesque backdrops make Michigan a great place to shoot a major motion picture. Making our state not just competitive, but No.1 is important to reel in this industry, and reel in those jobs."
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.
"We can make Michigan the go-to state for filming and reap all of the rewards right now: more jobs, more people visiting our state and more money flooding the state's economy," said State Representative Marc Corriveau (D-Northville), a co-sponsor of the plan. "The money is there and we can't afford to wait. Spring is almost here, the strike in Hollywood is over and people are ramping up for production. Let's get these incentives in place now to strengthen our economy and create more jobs for our workers."