Variety trade mag latest to weigh in on Michigan film industry incentives

While politicians obfuscate and debate about the value of using tax incentives to lure in film productions to the state, we weigh in and call it like it is: good for generating income and stimulating economies in targeted locations in Michigan.

There are productions all over the streets of Detroit, these days, people are spending money and catching all the good vibes of experiencing the city from the ground level. Film trade mag Variety seems to agree.

Excerpt:

Overall production spending within the state has climbed geometrically since the rebate program went into effect in April 2008, rising from $125 million two years ago to $225 million in 2009. Spend projections for 2010 are in the range of $400 million-$500 million. “I don’t know if we’ll get to a half-billion-dollars this year, but we’re definitely on our way,” says Carrie Jones, head of the Michigan Film Office. She notes that in the first two-thirds of 2010, last year’s total has already been surpassed.

What accounts for the explosive growth? “Producers seem more comfortable with the program — that it’s for real and that people are being paid,” she says.

Read the rest of the report here.