Written by on Sep 10, 2015. Posted in Incentive News

North Carolina set to triple film fund after downgrading incentive

Authorities in North Carolina plan to triple the state’s film fund to USD 30 million half a year after the formal filming incentive was controversially downgraded to a grant system. Drama Under the Dome claimed half of this year’s incentive fund, but will end after its third season.

North Carolina became a high-profile filming location after hosting the first Hunger Games movie and Marvel’s superhero sequel Iron Man 3.

Lawmakers decided to revise the filming incentive programme in January and reduced the annual film fund to just USD 10 million. Tripling the figure for the new fiscal year will help make North Carolina more competitive.

“We are very encouraged by the amount of money we got, which will allow us to get back to business,” said Johnny Griffin, Wilmington film commissioner, in comments to WilmingtonBiz.

“We definitely have folks that want to be here. Georgia and Louisiana are extremely busy, crowded places. North Carolina is another option for them again.”

Added Senator Michael Lee: “I am pleased that my Senate colleagues, after much negotiation, have agreed to increase the funding levels for this important program. While there is still much more that can be done, today is a victory for both our region and our state.”

Filming incentives face uncertain futures in several eastern US states, with local authorities often struggling to confirm the extent to which the programmes benefit communities.

New York, Louisiana and Georgia are three of the top US production centres and California has now boosted its filming incentive tax credit with a focus on attracting TV shoots.