Majority Leader Louis Greenwald discusses the Garden State Film and Digital Media Jobs Act
COLLINGSWOOD, NJ – Assembly Majority Leader Louis Greenwald (D-Camden/Burlington) today discussed the impact of the Garden State Film and Digital Media Jobs Act with local producers, talent scouts, and SAG members.

“There is more competition than ever from other states and foreign countries that are looking to attract the film industry,” said Majority Leader Greenwald. “New Jersey’s location provides a competitive edge and we plan to capitalize on that and ensure that we see continued growth in this area.”

The tax credit program allocates $75 million in credits annually for the next five years. Productions may qualify for a 30% tax credit if at least 60% of their production and production expenses are performed or purchased in New Jersey, or their production expenses exceed $1 million. Productions that film in Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Mercer, or Salem Counties can qualify for a 35% tax credit.

“With the advent of the tax credits, production in the state is booming,” said Steve Gorelick, Executive Director of the New Jersey Motion Picture and Television Commission.

New Jersey has a long history with the motion picture industry. Thomas Edison invented the world’s first movie camera and opened the first movie studio in West Orange, New Jersey. Before Hollywood, Fort Lee was once the film capital of the world, housing 11 major production studios.

In recent years, numerous states have seen a positive impact from tax credits like these. New York State, according to a study prepared by Camoin Associates for Empire State Development, sees a $2.23 return on investment for every dollar in tax credits that are spent. Pennsylvania, who implemented a film credit program in 2007, has seen 24,200 jobs supported by their film industry. After creating one of the nation’s most generous tax credit programs, New Mexico has seen over 2,000 new jobs added to the industry each year.

“Across the country these programs bring good paying jobs, strong benefits, and provide vital support to local businesses and vendors, and now New jersey will benefit from these very effective programs as well,” said Steve Lechinski, Executive Director of SAG-AFRA Philadelphia Local.

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