Governor Whitmer Announces Support for Revival of Michigan's Film Industry

When Governor Gretchen Whitmer takes the oath of office for her second term in January, it will be the first time in 40 years Michigan will have a Democratic majority in the legislature and a Democratic governor.

“It’s very exciting,” said Whitmer. “The legislature is still the legislature, so things don’t always move quickly but I look forward to working with both Democrats and Republicans to solve problems.

“We will be able to make the kinds of investments and policies that will truly benefit Michiganders.”

IMAGE: Susan Smiley - The Macomb Daily

Whitmer would also like to see a revival of  Michigan’s film industry. In 2008, then governor Jennifer Granholm adopted a filmmaker incentive program. That program, which was terminated by Gov. Rick Snyder in 2015, stimulated business in the state and generated more than $300 million of film production spending at its peak.

“I was always proud to support the incentives as a legislator,” said Whitmer. “Michigan is such a beautiful state and I think showcasing it is a way that we can tell the Pure Michigan story and show what we have to offer.”

Even businesses not directly connected to filmmaking such as restaurants, catering services, hotels, and transportation providers experienced an economic bump from film crews working in the state, according to Whitmer.

“People benefitted from having the film industry here who were not even on the film set,” she said.

Read the Rest of the Story in The Macomb Daily