By Rick Pluta, Michigan Public Radio Network
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wkar/local-wkar-928297.mp3
LANSING, MI –
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Governor Granholm says Michigan's generous tax incentives for the film industry are helping to diversify the state's economy. But she says they were never intended to be a revenue generator for state government. As we hear from Michigan Public Radio's Rick Pluta, the governor met Friday with the Michigan Film Advisory Council.
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Governor Granholm says the tax credits are designed to spark activity in the private sector, help Michigan shake its "rust belt" image, and keep young people from leaving the state in search of interesting jobs in a creative field. The governor says the incentives have accomplished that.
"Right now, this is the place to be if you're making a film, and we want to make sure that those who are here in Michigan have the opportunity to work on these films," she says. "It's all about jobs."
She says the credits helped create 7,000 jobs and attract $650 million in spending on everything from production crews to catering and hotels. The state offers credits of up to 40% of a project's production costs. Critics say it's wrong for taxpayers to be forced to subsidize job creation.
reWorking Michigan
For more on job creation and workforce evolution in Michigan, visit WKAR.org/reworkingmichigan