Massachusetts Film Tax Incentive Yields Strong Return on Investment, Supports Jobs

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 22, 2013

Massachusetts Film Tax Incentive Yields Strong Return on Investment, Supports Jobs

WASHINGTON—A study released today on the economic impact of the Massachusetts Film Tax Incentive Program found that for every $1 of film tax incentive awarded in 2011, $10 in spending was generated for the Commonwealth. A total of $37.9 million in film tax credits generated $375.3 million in economic output in the year studied. The study also found that the incentive was responsible for 2,220 full time equivalent jobs across all industries in Massachusetts in 2011.

Additionally, the study found since the incentive was introduced in 2006, total production employment has increased by 46% from 1,630 jobs in 2006 to 2,380 jobs in 2011. The Commonwealth’s share of motion picture production industry employment increased from 18th of the 50 states in 2006 to 11th in 2011.

“Today’s study reconfirms that incentivizing productions creates jobs and generates enormous economic return for local and state economies,” said MPAA Chairman and CEO Senator Chris Dodd. “Massachusetts is the latest example of a state that is benefiting tremendously from a thriving local film industry. The steady stream of Massachusetts productions means more jobs for entertainment industry workers, as seen by the stark rise in IATSE and SAGAFTRA membership since the tax incentive’s inception. The impending completion of New England Studios is also an exciting addition to this growing industry and will attract even more films and television shows to the Commonwealth.”

The study, titled “Economic Impacts of the Massachusetts Film Tax Incentive Program” was commissioned by the Motion Picture Association of America and conducted by HR&A Advisors. Key findings from the study include:

•  Massachusetts awarded $37.9 million in film tax credits to program applicants in 2011. The incentive program generated $183 million in Massachusetts personal income and $375.3 million in economic output for the Commonwealth, meaning that for every $1 of film tax credit awarded, $10 in spending was generated.
• When indirect and induced jobs across industries created by the tax incentive are then factored in, the tax incentive was responsible for 2,220 full-time equivalent jobs in 2011.
• Since the tax incentive was introduced in 2006, total production employment has increased by 46% from 1,630 jobs in 2006 to 2,380 jobs in 2011. This growth took place while total private sector employment in the Commonwealth declined by 0.5%.
• From 2006-2013, membership in IATSE Local 481, the union representing motion picture technicians and craftspeople, has grown 140% and membership in SAGAFTRA, the union representing background and principal film and television performers, has grown 56%.
• Upon its completion, the construction of New England Studios will have supported 440 full-time equivalent jobs across all industries, generating $35.6 million in personal income and $62.3 in economic output for the Commonwealth.

To read the full study, click HERE.

About HR&A Advisors:
HR&A Advisors is an industry-leading real estate, economic development and energy efficiency consulting firm. They have provided strategic advisory services for some of the most complex mixed-use, neighborhood, downtown, campus, and regional development projects across North America and abroad for over 30 years.

About the MPAA:
The Motion Picture Association of America, Inc. (MPAA) serves as the voice and advocate of the American motion picture, home video and television industries from its offices in Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. Its members include: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures; Paramount Pictures Corporation; Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc.; Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation; Universal City Studios LLC; and Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.

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For more information, contact:

MPAA Washington, D.C.
Kate Bedingfield
(202) 293-1966
Kate_Bedingfield@motionpictures.org