Written by on Dec 27, 2011. Posted in Incentive News

Raleigh Studios Detroit likely to benefit from Michigan’s revised film incentives

Raleigh Studios Detroit is likely to benefit from Michigan’s new filming incentive programme. Michigan has offered generous incentives for the last few years, but its film fund has now been reduced and the film office had to stop considering applications while the details were clarified.

In the new bill, likely to be signed off soon by the Governor, tax credits are replaced by grants of up to 35%. Filming incentives on direct production expenditure are massively reduced, but the bill has been designed to drive business towards facilities like Raleigh Studios Detroit. Productions will be able to get more of their expenditure back by working with state-approved vendors.

I support the bill as a step to keep cameras rolling in Michigan. This is a key state-wide industry that plays a vital role in our economy.

Rick Hert, West Michigan Film Office

Rick Hert is Film Commissioner at the West Michigan Film Office and wrote in mlive.com of his support for the bill: “I support the bill as a step to keep cameras rolling in Michigan. This is a key state-wide industry that plays a vital role in our economy. As an economic development and tourism veteran, I’ve seen firsthand that this programme is about creating jobs and supporting our economy.”

Michigan is understandably focussing on the size of the grants still being offered, as these figures keep the state roughly on par with Louisiana. The size of the film fund is the crippling reality, though, with just USD25 million a year seriously hindering the state’s ability to compete for the big-budget studio productions.