Michigan Urged to Keep Film Incentive Program

23 November 2009 - 8:00am

Filmmakers are calling on state officials in Michigan to extend the state's grant program that provides up to 42% of production costs simply for filming in Michigan.

Michigan's grant program is the most generous in the country.

"The Michigan Film Office announced Tuesday that 82 projects have qualified for the tax credits since the program began in April 2008, with total spending in the state of about $216 million. State financial analysts estimate the cost for the subsidies through October 2010 at about $150 million.

But policy makers should not underestimate intangible benefits of the program, improving Michigan's image, and attracting and retaining creative and talented young people, said Michael Manasseri, of Los Angeles-based Big Screen Entertainment Group."

Source: The Detroit Free Press, November 19, 2009
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