Legislation that would have expanded tax credits offered to film companies making movies and television shows in New York State has been vetoed by Governor Cuomo. The move is considered good news by Buffalo-Niagara Film Commissioner Tim Clark.
Clark says Western New York is among the 40 counties previously approved for the tax credits and expanding the incentive to areas near New York City would have made it harder to attract producers to this region. He says being able to offer film companies an additional ten percent credit is "huge."
"I think, arguably, we could say that we have probably now one of the best incentives in the entire nation, and we're getting a lot of calls," Clark said.
Clark says the additional tax credit gives Buffalo and Western New York a "fighting chance" when it comes to attracting producers. He says once they're here, it's easy to sell them on the region's many assets.
"If you're sitting on the fence and not understanding where you're going to go, you could absolutely look and say, wow, 30 percent plus another ten percent on labor, we've got to go look and see what's up there in Western New York," Clark told WBFO.
The tax incentive was approved earlier this year and currently applies to 40 upstate counties. The legislation vetoed by the governor would have expanded the tax credit to another 14 counties.
Meanwhile, the film "The Best Man Holiday," which was partially shot at Ralph Wilson Stadium, opens in theaters today.