LANSING – Sen. Jim Barcia (D-Bay City) today praised the swift and unanimous Senate passage of a 16-bill package of incentives designed to attract the film industry to Michigan. They are among the most generous of any state. The bicameral bipartisan package includes credits of up to 42 percent for hiring Michigan residents.

Sen. Barcia's bill (SB1169) will allow certain sales tax credits for film production companies as a percentage of their production spending beginning December 31, 2009. The bill also moves the current Michigan Film Office from the Department of History, Arts and Libraries (HAL) to the Michigan Strategic Fund.

"This economic stimulus package is a way to, not only diversify the economy, but attract and retain our college graduates for exciting and lucrative careers," Sen. Barcia said. "This legislation will make Michigan competitive in a fast-growing industry, providing a tremendous boost for the Michigan economy, and affecting every Michigan resident."

Highlights of the legislation include: Tax incentives for qualified companies in the film production industry; income tax credits for certain eligible film production companies; Michigan Strategic Fund loans for qualified film industry productions; and cost-free use of state, military and local government property for film industry productions. In addition, the legislation provides business tax credits for certain production companies for qualified job training expenditures.

The bills are on their way to the House where swift approval is expected, then to the Governor, who is expected to sign them quickly. The film industry initiative was included in her State of the State address earlier this year.

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