April 11, 2008
Radio Address: Film incentives part of overall economic stimulus package
LANSING - In her weekly radio address, Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today described how the state's new film incentives set the stage to grow an industry that will provide good-paying, long-term jobs for Michigan workers.
"This week, I signed into law the most aggressive film incentive program in the nation, which will result in more films being shot on location in Michigan," Granholm said. "Each year, the Michigan Film Office averages six scripts from companies interested in filming in Michigan. Today, we're reviewing nearly 80 scripts from companies interested in doing business in Michigan."
The governor said that the film industry is a strategic growth industry for Michigan. It is the second largest high-tech, high-paying, non-polluting industry in the world and generates over $50 billion in direct domestic economic activity each year. It can give Michigan's economy an immediate shot in the arm while it takes years to reap the benefits of other economic development incentives.
"We are encouraging the production of movies and TV shows, the creation of film industry infrastructure, and the hiring of Michigan workers for the wide-range of jobs that exist in this industry," Granholm said. "Hollywood will know what we know - Michigan has a strong workforce, a strong work ethic, and great locations."
Governor Granholm also thanked and congratulated the Michigan Legislature for its bipartisan support of these new film production incentives.
The governor's weekly radio address is released each Friday morning and may be heard on broadcast stations across the state. The address is available on the governor's Web site at ( www.michigan.gov/gov) for download, together with a clip of the quote above. The radio address is also available as a podcast on the Web site, as well as on iTunes and via RSS feed for general distribution to personal MP3 players and home computers. Links to the audio files and text of today's address follow.
GOVERNOR JENNIFER M. GRANHOLM
Radio Address - Film Incentive Package
April 11, 2008
This week, I signed into law the most aggressive film incentive program in the nation, part of an overall economic stimulus package I unveiled in my State of the State address less than three months ago.
Michigan is no stranger to movie-making. Remember "Somewhere in Time," "Hoffa," "Presumed Innocent," "Road to Perdition," "Super Sucker," to name just a few of the movies filmed here. Our new film incentives will result in many more films being shot on location in Michigan, but just as importantly, we've set the stage now to grow an industry that will provide good-paying, long-term jobs for Michigan workers.
We are encouraging the production of movies and TV shows, the creation of film industry infrastructure, and the hiring of Michigan workers for the wide-range of jobs that exist in this industry. Hollywood will know what we know - Michigan has a strong workforce, a strong work ethic, and great locations.
We are investing in this new industry for several reasons. Every dollar spent in film production will generate up to $3 in economic activity in Michigan. These new laws are timed perfectly to attract business to Michigan from Canada, where the higher Canadian dollar is causing filmmakers to move production to alternative locations. We also believe the film industry can give our economy an immediate shot in the arm while it takes years to reap the benefits of other economic development incentives.
Consider this: Each year, the Michigan Film Office averages six scripts from companies interested in filming in Michigan. Today, we're reviewing nearly 80 scripts from companies interested in doing business in Michigan. That level of interest is tantamount to getting rave reviews on opening night.
The film industry is a strategic growth industry for Michigan. It is the second largest high-tech, high-paying, non-polluting industry in the world. It generates over $50 billion in direct domestic economic activity each year. All we need to do is to look at the experience of other states to know that we can grow our own industry in Michigan.
Louisiana's film incentives grew film industry spending from $7 million to almost $350 million in that state, supporting nearly 19,000 jobs. New Mexico has grown its film industry from $1.5 million to $476 million within two years thanks to projects like Albuquerque Studios, a new $100 million facility that employs up to 2,000 people when productions are in full swing.
I want to congratulate and thank Michigan's Legislature for its bipartisan support of these new film production incentives. It's a perfect of example of what we can do when we're committed to growing our economy and creating jobs.
So, everyone, get ready: The movies are coming to Michigan. Not just the latest releases at your local cinema - though there's nothing I enjoy more than taking in a good movie - but the multi-billion dollar movie-making industry and all the jobs and economic investment it creates.
Thank you for listening.
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