New York Production Alliance: Small Businesses Across N.Y. Urge Extension of TV/Film Production Tax Credit

NEW YORK, Feb. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Small businesses across New York State are urging the State Legislature to extend a tax credit program they say is critical to sustaining thousands of good paying jobs in New York's growing television and film production industry. 

The New York State Film Production Tax Credit Program has proven overwhelmingly successful, generating since its inception over $10.4 billion in economic activity and creating more than 89,000 high paying jobs, relayed the New York Production Alliance, a consortium of New York-based film producers, small businesses and labor groups.

First implemented in 2004 and expanded under Governor Cuomo in 2013, the tax production incentive is set to expire in 2019. The governor's current budget proposal would extend the program for three more years if approved by the Legislature this session – a measure the Alliance says is critical in order to provide certainty to an industry that typically plans productions months and sometimes years in advance.

"The Catskills are home to a thriving community of businesses in the production industry. I like to say we're the people who work behind the camera to make the people in front of the camera look good," said Alice Lindholm, owner of Right to the Moon Alice, a wardrobe rental company in Cooks Fall, N.Y. "Businesses in our industry are unique; we don't advertise in traditional ways. Rather we depend on word of mouth referrals within production circles. The tax credit program provides a certainty that keeps productions rolling and business coming in."

Ms. Lindolm's referrals have been so steady, she was recently able to build a 10,000 square foot addition to her warehouse and hire three new fulltime employees who live locally to help keep up with the business. She also provides dozens of local high school students with summer internships.

Richard Hebrank, owner of RJH Rentals, a Patterson, N.Y. company that provides hardware and carpentry equipment to construct film sets, said, "In addition to my rental company, which has expanded a lot since the tax credit program was put in place, I'm also a member of Local 52 [the Motion Picture Studio Mechanics Union]. In the 90's we used to have maybe six to 10 jobs a year. Now, with all the TV series filming here, there are 30 or 40 jobs a year. That's a lot of my friends and colleagues working because of the tax credit program."

"Before the tax credit program, a TV show would only shoot in New York for a couple of days then pack up and leave. Now they're staying to produce the entire show here. It's a big difference with a lot more people employed throughout the industry," said James Copeland, owner of Star Coach Rental, a trailer and truck rental business based in Slate Hill, N.Y. since 1985. 

"The TV and film production industry accounts for 90 percent of our business. Without it, we wouldn't survive," said Maureen McGill, owner of Daybreak Vintage Clothing, a costume rental business in Albany. "There has always been competition in our industry, especially between New York and California. Over the last several years we have seen a noticeable increase in productions moving to New York and staying here because of the tax credit program. We need to keep it that way."

Empire State Development (ESD), the agency that administers the program for the state, says at least 541 movies and TV series have been shot in New York utilizing the incentives, which have provided meaningful economic benefits to small businesses and local communities across New York. 

The New York Production Alliance represents the film, television and commercial production and post production industry in New York City and New York State. Representing over 85,000 people, together we promote, grow and strengthen the entertainment industry in New York. Take a stand for New York jobs at www.nypa.org.

SOURCE New York Production Alliance

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http://www.nypa.org