LANSING – There

was never any question that Governor

Rick Snyder was going to sign a bill bringing to an end the state’s program

of awarding cash incentives to producers as a way of luring film and television

productions to the state, but it still marked the definitive end point Friday

when his office announced he had done so.

Snyder’s

signature on HB

4122* (PA 117, immediate effect) concluded

a seven-year experiment where the state sought to woo productions through

incentives, first through a generous tax credit and later through a scaled-back

program that awarded cash grants instead.

In a

statement, Snyder offered little as to why he signed the bill, but he has never

been fond of the program, frequently proposing to scale it back.

“It’s

important that we support creativity and innovation in our state, and we’ll

continue to have a Michigan Film Office to assist moviemakers and production

staff,” Snyder said. “Michigan has much to offer the movie industry,

including top-notch talent and beautiful backdrops that will continue to draw

filmmakers to Michigan even without taxpayer-funded incentives.”

Snyder

deputy press secretary Dave Murray said Snyder has said several times that he

does not think tax incentives are the best way to grow businesses in the state.

The state

had a film office for almost 30 years prior to the tax credit’s creation. Far

fewer films had a presence in the state then.

Film Office

Commissioner Jenell Leonard said the office would continue its efforts.

“The

incentive program may have come to an end, but as has been done for over 30

years, the MFO will continue with our mission to attract film productions, and

further build the film and digital media industries in Michigan,” she said

in a statement. “In the near future, we will unveil specific programs,

initiatives and public private partnerships to build the creative industries

without taxpayer funded incentives. This is a time that calls for unprecedented

collaboration and we believe by pulling together we can further elevate

Michigan as an international venue for filmmakers and digital media

producers.”

This story

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