Virginia is losing out in the film industry competition

Loudoun Times-Mirror
April 7, 2009
Jack Goldstone

These days, states are competing for jobs. High-paying, non-polluting, creative and rewarding jobs are the most fiercely contested. Most of these gains will take place over the long term, through smart investments in high-growth industries, such as green energy. But there is one often-overlooked industry that can immediately bring revenue and jobs into the Commonwealth: the entertainment and film industry.

The entertainment and film industry is a trillion-dollar global behemoth. Production costs of a single major film average around $100 million. Even filming a single car or fashion commercial can generate hundreds of thousands of dollars in local business, not to mention the publicity value of showing attractive locales to potential tourists and business investors.

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McAuliffe Calls for Making Virginia Top Destination for Film Production

Meeting with members of Virginia's film industry, gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe today discussed the second chapter of his Business Plan for Virginia, which focuses on creating jobs across the Commonwealth, and his support for growing Virginia's film industry. McAuliffe pledged to make Virginia a top destination for the film industry by increasing tax incentives for film production, creating a highly-trained film industry workforce, and ensuring that all state agencies do their part to support the film industry in the Commonwealth.

"Even with the recent economic downturn, the film industry is one of the few sectors of our economy that is expected to see continued growth. Not only do film productions have an immediate positive effect on business sectors across Virginia, including housing, retail stores, and restaurants, but they also promote the Commonwealth's $18 billion tourism industry," McAuliffe said. "When the HBO miniseries John Adams was produced in Virginia, the total state investment in the project was only $1.25 million. However, the project was responsible for 3500 jobs and $80 million in direct spending in Virginia. Now that's a good return on investment!"

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