Pennsylvania Governor Rendell: Filmmakers Will Invest $8.2 Million in Various Commonwealth Communities Due to Film Tax Credit Program

Pennsylvania Governor Rendell: Filmmakers Will Invest $8.2 Million in Various Commonwealth Communities Due to Film Tax Credit Program

Adams, Berks, McKean and Counties in the Lehigh Valley Will Serve As Filming Locations

HARRISBURG, Pa., Dec. 21 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Edward G. Rendell announced today the film tax credit program is attracting film productions to communities across the commonwealth, including $8.2 million in investments outside of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.

"Due to the film tax credit program, we have been able to attract productions even to some of the most rural areas of the commonwealth," Governor Rendell said. "When is the last time McKean County was the location of a $4 million film production? This is an incredible experience and economic opportunity for our communities."

In July, Governor Rendell created the "Creativity in Focus" program to provide tax credits to film and television productions who agree to spend at least 60 percent of their total production cost in Pennsylvania. To date, $28.9 million of the $75 million available has been committed statewide.

"In addition to the 115 jobs that are estimated to be generated, this investment will have a ripple effect for everyone, from hotels and restaurants to the local drycleaner all will see additional business," Governor Rendell said. "It should be clear we are not trading tax dollars for 15 minutes of fame, these are jobs that our communities would not have seen without the tax credit program."

To date, these productions include:

-- "Little Chicago," which will be produced in Bradford, McKean County, by Little Chicago LLC. Little Chicago will invest $4.4 million and receive $1,100,600 in tax credits;

-- "Living on the Edge: Riding with the Vietnam Vets in Pennsylvania" will be produced in Reading and Lebanon by Blockhead City Entertainment, which will invest $15,284 and receive $3,821 in tax credits;

-- "Malevolence 2 LP" will be produced in the Lehigh Valley by Crimson Films LP, which will invest $2.9 million and receive $731,200 in tax credit; and

-- "Seize the Light" will be produced in Gettysburg, Pittsburgh, and Philadelphia by Oliver Stevens Productions, which will invest $932,750 and receive $233,187 in tax credits.

The Pennsylvania Film Office, as a part of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, is committed to coordinating efforts statewide to make every project filmed in Pennsylvania a success. From scouting, to maintaining a crew base, to coordinating statewide industry resources, the Pennsylvania Film Office offers services to cater to the unique needs of any film production. For more information, please visit filminpa.com.

The Rendell administration is committed to creating a first-rate public education system, protecting our most vulnerable citizens and continuing economic investment to support our communities and businesses. To find out more about Governor Rendell's initiatives and to sign up for his weekly newsletter, visit www.governor.state.pa.us.

   CONTACT:   Chuck Ardo   717-783-1116    Michael Chapaloney   717-720-1301  

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Source: Pennsylvania Office of the Governor

CONTACT: Chuck Ardo, +1-717-783-1116, or Michael Chapaloney,
+1-717-720-1301, both of the Pennsylvania Office of the Governor

Web Site: http://www.filminpa.com/
http://www.governor.state.pa.us/

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Profile: International Entertainment