On Feb. 1, one of the entertainment industry’s largest payroll, production service and administrative service companies opened an office at Wilmington’s EUE Screen Gems Studios to take advantage of the North Carolina film tax incentive.

For many film projects, Entertainment Partners, based out of Burbank, Calif., is contracted to handle these administrative tasks to ensure that productions run smoothly.

But by establishing a North Carolina office, the company is now a qualified vendor in the state.

“As a North Carolina vendor we are eligible for the North Carolina credit,” said Joe Chianese, senior vice president of tax, production planning and business development for Entertainment Partners.

The company has been thinking about establishing a North Carolina office for about a year. But, they decided to open now after hearing this fall from clients, who were seriously considering filming here, Chianese said.

“It all boiled down to volume of business,” he said.

The company’s production incentives division has sprouted offices in New Orleans, Florida and New Mexico, where film incentives have been drawing business.

North Carolina legislators recently increased the film production rebate cap from $7.5 million to $20 million. And, now production companies can reclaim 25 percent of money spent in state on local vendors, such as Entertainment Partners. Previously, film companies could claim 15 percent for reimbursement.

“We help productions maximize state’s incentives. When they’ve decided to come to North Carolina, we will help them with equipment [and] making sure everything is used within the state,” said Hillary Meinheit, account executive for the new Wilmington office. She and a full-time paymaster will staff the office. Entertainment Partners also has a satellite office in Charlotte, she said.