2 years after tax incentives, Michigan's making movies

4/6/2010

LANSING, Mich. — Michigan's two-year-old bid to become a star in the nation's movie business is drawing mixed reviews.

The state has become a hot spot for moviemakers, with 89 movie or TV productions completed since Gov. Jennifer Granholm signed an aggressive tax incentive program into law on April 7, 2008. Hotels, caterers and others getting some spin-off business from moviemakers can't wait for the industry to put down deeper roots in the state.

But a few lawmakers have questioned whether Michigan gets its money's worth as it becomes a bigger player in motion pictures.

The tax credit program is projected to cost Michigan nearly $69 million for film projects completed in 2009. The potential bill would rise if more movie work approved in 2009 is finished later.