REPRESENTATIVE TERRY BROWN

The Thumb's lakeshore ought to be in pictures – and this plan will make that happen

The following commentary was written by State Rep. Terry Brown (D-Pigeon).

My top priority is creating jobs for our workers today and getting more money flowing in to our communities, including those around our lakeshore. Attracting the film industry is one of the ways we can do that. The Thumb, especially with our many miles of magnificent and diverse shoreline, is a beautiful, hospitable place that can serve as a backdrop for all kinds of movies.

Right now, few filmmakers come to Michigan because it's cheaper and easier to shoot movies in other states. I am very excited about a bipartisan solution to this problem that has taken shape: an aggressive incentive package that will make Michigan one of the most affordable and convenient places in the country to make movies. This will keep these film industry jobs and more of our talented young people right here in Michigan.

Filming a major motion picture produces a ripple effect in a local economy. Caterers are hired, hotels are booked and local production workers such as grips, gaffers, production assistants and camera assistants are hired for up to months at a time.

Semi-Pro starring Will Farrell and Woody Harrelson pumped about $1.5 million into the local economy in less than a week when it was filmed in Flint. States that have been out in front have seen film-spending rise in their state. Louisiana, for example, saw spending rise from $7 million in 2003 to $350 million in 2006.

Under this plan, filmmakers in Michigan would enjoy at least a 40 percent tax credit, the biggest tax break for the film industry in the nation. The package also includes tax incentives for private investments, loan programs and job-training expense credits, and opens up state and local government sites such as parks, buildings, roads and landmarks to be used easily and at no cost.

Producers who testified in Lansing said the film industry was buzzing over the film incentive package as soon as it was announced.

This plan will work in tandem with efforts to promote our state and attract more visitors, including a $60 million investment in tourism promotion that I am spearheading. Attracting the film industry will spur a phenomenon called "set-jetting," in which people visit places where their favorite television shows or movies were filmed. For years, Mackinac Island has seen the rewards of set-jetting because of the movie Somewhere in Time, which starred Jane Seymour and the late Christopher Reeve, and was filmed at the Grand Hotel in 1979. A fan club hosts an annual weekend on Mackinac Island to celebrate the film, bringing visitors and dollars to the local economy.

By attracting the film industry to the Thumb, we will create jobs now, bring money into our lakeshore communities, stimulate our tourism industry and help get our economy going in the right direction.

State Representative Terry Brown represents the 84th House District, which consists of Huron and Tuscola counties. To contact him, call (888) 254-5284 or e-mail terrybrown@house.mi.gov. To subscribe to his e-newsletter and read updates on his legislative work, visit his Web site, house.mi.gov/tbrown.