Oregon Governor Kulongoski Urges Legislature to Support Oregon's Growing Film Industry

Oregon is in the middle of a record year for film and video - best in over 15 years

June 1, 2009 -- (Salem) - Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski today met with film and television producers, representing three companies currently employing hundreds of Oregonians, to highlight the state’s thriving film industry. In the first six months of 2009, productions have invested more than $40 million in Oregon, representing the largest investment in any full year in the past 15 years.

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“Oregon has become an A-list location for the film and television industry – and an important critical piece of Oregon’s economy,” Governor Kulongoski said. “Green energy is one bright spot in Oregon’s economy and the film industry is another, generating an additional $1.1 million in income for Oregon workers and local businesses for every $1 million spent by a production.”

The recent success of Oregon’s film and television industry can in part be attributed to the creation of the Oregon Production Investment Fund in 2003. Since the Governor proposed and the Legislature approved the fund, spending by the film and television industry in Oregon has grown from $2.1 million to $8 million.

These investments bring hundreds of jobs for Oregonians, jobs that pay on average $53,000 or 34 percent higher than the 2007 state average and most come with health and pension benefits. From 2005 – 2007, out-of-state production rose 115 percent, and local production rose 62 percent, translating into an increase of 16 percent in the employment rate for Oregon film and television professions.

“These family-wage jobs are exactly the jobs we want to continue to attract and retain,” Governor Kulongoski said. “This means continuing the investment fund that has a proven track record in job creation and revenue for Oregon businesses.”

An analysis of the fund shows that the direct economic impact for 2007 and 2008 was more than $92 million, with the overall economic impact exceeding $180 million. In terms of revenues for the state, ECONorthwest estimates that the state earns $123,000 for every $1 million spent by production companies.

Senate Bill 621, legislation to reauthorize and increase the financial incentive for productions, is before the Legislature. Currently the fund is capped at $10 million per biennium. The legislation proposes to increase that cap by $5 million. If the legislation passes, spending in Oregon on productions is projected to climb.

“The fund is worthy of the Legislature’s continued support. Doing so will mean more jobs, more economic activity and more opportunities to showcase Oregon to people all over the world who see our state’s beauty through film and television,” the Governor said.

For more information about the economic impact of the film industry in Oregon and Senate Bill 621, click here.

Source: Oregon Governor