Number
051225
Version
ORIGINAL
Reference
Sponsor
ALD. HINES and BOHL
Title
Resolution supporting incentives by the State Legislature to enhance the film industry in Wisconsin.
Analysis
This resolution supports the enactment of film incentives by the State Legislature to create a sustainable film industry in Wisconsin that will nurture the creative talents of state residents, provide jobs and create an economic impact to the Milwaukee area, as well as the entire State of Wisconsin.
Body
Whereas, Wisconsin currently has no incentives to attract filmmakers to the state and is losing business to states that do; and
Whereas, The proper incentives have the potential to create a new, creative industry in our state; and
Whereas, Milwaukee is on a great lake and offers a rare diversity of locations, including neighborhoods, architecture and people for possible production work; and
Whereas, Creating a robust film industry has the potential to create jobs and add significant economic impact to Milwaukee and the State; and
Whereas, In a state, such as North Carolina, where robust incentives are in place, the economic impact can be significant - $235 million in economic impact and 20,000 production jobs for state residents in 2004 alone; and
Whereas, A private organization, Film Wisconsin, has been developed to spearhead the passage of these incentives and serve as the marketing organization to bring production work to the state; and
Whereas, The executive director of Film Wisconsin will be based in Milwaukee with an additional staff person in Madison; and
Whereas, The incentives have been developed with a Film Wisconsin task force with top executives at Paramount Pictures; and
Whereas, The executives at Paramount Pictures have indicated in writing that the passage of the proposed incentives would make Wisconsin a “film friendly” state and Paramount Pictures and other studios would seriously consider bringing production work to Wisconsin; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that the Common Council supports the efforts of Film Wisconsin in working with the State Legislature for the passage of film incentives that will make Wisconsin competitive with best-practice states in growing a creative filmmaking economy in the state, and directs the Department of Administration, Intergovernmental Relations Division, to support the passage of legislation creating film incentives to grow a creative filmmaking economy in the state.
Requestor
Drafter
LRB06013-1
DF/aw
1/17/06