Filmmakers Want Tax Incentive Program Extended

Bill passed senate last session, now in house

Tools

By Alexis Fernandez

Story Created: Jan 23, 2012 at 11:23 AM AKDT

Story Updated: Jan 23, 2012 at 11:23 AM AKDT

Some film industry officials are urging lawmakers to extend the film tax incentive program that’s credited for bringing up a number of film productions to the Last Frontier.

Mike Devlin from Evergreen Films is urging the legislature to continue the tax incentive program to help keep its first 3-D production company here in Alaska.

The $100 million program approved back in 2009 is set to expire in 2013.

Under the current senate bill, sponsored by Senator Johnny Ellis, the program would be extended another 10 years and another $200 million.

So far the program has approved a total of about $14.3 million in tax credits for almost three dozen productions, including 16 reality shows and 10 feature films that spent nearly $45 million in the state since 2009.

The senate passed the bill last session but stalled in the house, which is expected to revisit the issue again this session.

You have indicated this comment should be removed.

Close

The comment has been submitted for review. Thank you .

Not another Alaska Show said on Monday, Jan 23 at 3:36 PM

Hmmm Kinda getting tired of all the Alaska Hype. If you give me some figures on how this is helping promote Alaska then I am ok with it. Show me some figures like Population Metrics, Job Growth and such then directly attribute that to this Campaign.

80293374
Inappropriate? Alert Us!

Jessica Steele said on Monday, Jan 30 at 6:15 PM

I am in total support of SB 23. I would like to remind everyone that it is not just the big money, and big companies that make money when anyones films in Alaska. By voting to keep the SB 23 you are voting to help all the small businesses that not only making money when the crews are in Alaska but also for the ripple effect that happens. I speak for my industry, hair and makeup, and whenever we work on set or with the crew the training we get in return is huge! It is onsite training that we can then bring back to our salons and clients. Its a way for us to increase our education, which in turn lets us be a more valuable asset to our industry. This is the ripple effect that will continue on, getting larger and larger. Not only do I work in the industry but I had a show on TLC called Big Hair Alaska. The traffic to my website, facebook and emails were huge! We can not forget that the SB 23 gives an even playing field for small businesses, and small companies, and small towns, to go big.

80648958
Inappropriate? Alert Us!

Add a comment

Name:

Comment: 1000 Characters Left

KTVA CBS 11 | Anchorage, Alaska News and Weather and its affiliated companies are not responsible for the content of comments posted or for anything arising out of use of the above comments or other interaction among the users. We reserve the right to screen, refuse to post, remove or edit user-generated content at any time and for any or no reason in our absolute and sole discretion without prior notice, although we have no duty to do so or to monitor any Public Forum.
This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.