New Incentives to Grow Maine's Film Industry
06/29/2010

Everyone who lives in Maine knows how beautiful it is year-round and now we may get to share our state's beauty will many more on the silver screen. On April 14, friends and members of Maine's film industry gathered in Governor Baldacci's Office where he held a ceremony to celebrate the signing of LD 1449, "An Act To Expand Tax Incentives for Visual Media Productions." The new tax incentives makes changes to incentives to encourage Maine production companies to use Maine for their projects, helping our film industry and economy grow. Film production grows Maine's economy through direct spending, new jobs, skills training and tourism. Film, television and commercial production companies that spend $75,000 or more in Maine may take advantage of the Maine Visual Media Incentive Plan. They can receive tax rebates equal to 12% of qualified wages paid to Maine residents working on a certified production and 10% of nonresident wages, plus 5% tax credit for non wage production spending. Tax incentives like these help make Maine more competitive and appealing to out-of-state film production companies looking to film here as well. "In all the productions I've seen with footage shot here, Maine plays a starring role; the scenes just 'pop'," says Lea Girardin, director of the Maine Film Office. "These incentives will encourage the growth of Maine's production industry and attract other projects to Maine." The legislation the Governor signed ensures that eligible productions must be certified by the Department of Economic and Community Development. The bill also calls for the Maine State Film Office to report annually to the Legislature on the implementation of the credit and reimbursement program.