Written by David Lewis on Feb 16, 2009. Posted in Incentive News

Utah incentive bill approved

Hoping to attract more filmmakers to Utah, a senate committee approved a bill last week that would allow production companies to receive up to 20% of their costs back if they shoot in the state. The current cap is 15%.

The Governor's Office of Economic Development has predicted that the expanded incentive would put almost USD4 million a year directly into education and the general fund, and have a nearly USD480 million impact on Utah's economy.

The bill still retains the $500,000 cap on cash rebates, while tax credits would not be limited. It would cost the state USD7.5 million more annually.

Utah Film Commission Director, Marshall Moore, said: "The studios have these big budget productions, they are trying to bring them to Utah, but they can't, because we are not allowing them to. Many productions have turned their back on our landscapes because our incentives haven't matched the beauty that we've had and they've made compromises going to other places that maybe don't offer the natural beauty the way that we have it here in Utah."