With the legislative session in full swing, a state commerce official said Friday that she’s “pleased” with the part of Gov. Pat McCrory’s budget plan that would change how film incentives are distributed in the Tar Heel state.
 
After touring CastleBranch’s newly expanded headquarters, N.C. Secretary of Commerce Sharon Decker said while the state’s film incentives play an important role as a premier filming destination, “there are other ways to cut costs and lower long-term expenses for state taxpayers.”
 
Decker said proposal would focus more on post-production work needed for filming in the state. She added that healthy discussion regarding the proposal is necessary to find a common balance. 
 
A Senate bill filed Thursday calls for sweeping changes to the way the state’s film incentives are administered.
 
Under the bill, the maximum credit allowed per production would be capped at $6 million – down from $20 million now allowed under the incentive. It would also increase the amount a company must spend to qualify for a credit to $1 million – up from $250,000 now allowed.
 
State Rep. Susi Hamilton (D-New Hanover) who was also present during the CastleBranch facility showcase Friday, has filed a bill (HB 1142) that would prevent the film incentives from expiring.
 
Without action, the incentive will expire at the end of this year.
 
Both the City of Wilmington and the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce have called for eliminating the film production tax credit’s sunset date of Jan. 1, 2015 so that the incentive can continue to be marketed to future productions.