FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 21, 2010

LINCOLN, NE – State Senator Heath Mello introduced two legislative bills today that would build jobs and bring incentives to a burgeoning creative economy in Nebraska.

“Creating new jobs in our state requires new approaches. LB 1073 taps into the pas success of film production in our state and allows Nebraska to compete with other states around the country,” Mello stated today. “In order to bring new jobs to Nebraska, we need to film industry’s desire to do business here, as well as a workforce trained for jobs in the film industry. By setting up a job training program, LB 1074 will provide that training.”

Nebraska’s home-grown talent, like Alexander Payne, has reinforce to film and commercial production companies nationwide that the state is open for expanding the film industry. However, Nebraska is one of either states with no film incentives in state statute.

“As a professional film maker, I find that people are at times surprised at the network in Nebraska of creative talent, production companies and training resources for professional film crew jobs. These bills give our state a standing among other states to compete for projects and turn around those dollars in our communities,” said Mark Hoeger, a film maker with Oberon Productions in Omaha.

Mello concluded, “We made sure that LB 1073 did not make the mistakes other states made in crafting incentive packages for film and commercial productions. LB 1073 is intended to be revenue neutral and is exactly what we should be doing during the current difficult economic times; we must move forward to be successful.”

“Diversifying our economy and building a new industry in Nebraska are good goals. These bills craft a modest approach through refundable tax credits that tell this industry the State of Nebraska is open for business,” stated Stu Miller, retired Deputy Director of Nebraska’s Department of Economic Development.

Mr. Miller produced a report last fall for the Nebraska Film Association outlining tax credit options reinforcing efforts to move forward on legislation during the 2010 Legislative Session. A copy of the report is available at the following link:

Nebraska Film Association Sept 2009 Report

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