![]() ![]() “(They) were visiting the state of Arizona and found even more riches, besides the film industry. She recalled the success of Old Tucson Studios in drawing tourists who would eventually visit other sights. Rosanna Gabaldon agreed, saying Arizona has a lot to offer tourists. Christine Marsh, D-Paradise Valley, said her own family was not immune to seeing such sights while traveling. Some legislative supporters said filming in Arizona would serve as a magnet for tourists following the path of star-studded movie projects who would invariably stop over at interesting Arizona sights. The same report estimated that 62% of film company budgets were spent outside the state. The massive loss to the state general fund of more than $6.3 million, which was a large part of the reason the credit program was shut down. Opponents say spending money to attract film companies from regions with infrastructure developed and established over decades makes little economic sense, and that there isn’t a return on investment for the state.Ī 2009 report by the Arizona Department of Commerce on film industry tax credits found that only $2.3 million was gained the previous year, in comparison to $8.6 million spent by the program. Just last year, a House proposal to offer production companies with tax reimbursements for everything from hotel rentals to catering services was killed in committee. The Arizona Motion Picture Production and Infrastructure Credit awarded $22.5 million between 20 to 56 projects. The bill is the latest attempt to revive a film tax credit program that ended more than a decade ago. ![]() A film project could receive a credit for up to 27.5% of production costs if the company spends more than $35 million in Arizona and meets a bevy of other requirements. Movies that include on-site filming would be required to primarily film in the state. Senate Bill 1708 would create the Arizona Motion Picture Production Program, which would hand out up to $150 million in individual and corporate tax credits each year for movie projects produced in Arizona or that use a local production facility. Critics counter that the tax credits would be a waste of money that wouldn’t create permanent or high-paying jobs, and would amount to the government choosing Hollywood over small Arizona businesses. They say the benefits include construction of filming locations and hotels to meet new demand, hiring locals, keeping production jobs in-state, and attracting out-of-state tourists and industry professionals. ![]() Proponents argue it will foster jobs, infrastructure and tourism. Arizona landscapes would have a better chance of ending up on the silver screen under a legislative proposal to lure production companies to the Grand Canyon State with $150 million in tax credits that the Senate has approved. ![]()
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