A New Grant Giving Michigan Workers a Chance to Work With Hollywood

Last year, Governor Jennifer Granholm signed a bill aimed at bringing movie makers here to Michigan.

Granholm says our film incentive program is the most aggressive in the nation, designed to create jobs and investments.

The new laws provide a 40-percent tax credit for producing films here.

They also give a 25-percent credit for infrastructure investments like building studios or buying equipment.

For every dollar spent in film production, it's expected to generate up to $3.00 in economic activity in the state.

The state is pushing that program further with a new grant that could give unemployed Michigan workers a chance to work for Hollywood.  

A collaboration among LCC, MSU and Capital Area Michigan Works is bringing Mid-Michigan workers the opportunity to get free training for jobs in the film industry.

Thanks to new tax incentives $430 million is slated to be spent on movie productions in Michigan this year, but there's something missing.

"The problem is, we dont have the workforce already in place to enable these incoming productions to even staff up with Michigan workers," said Charles Steinfield, chair of MSU's department of Telecommunications.

Kate Tykoki of Capital Area Michigan Works says the group found an answer.

"Michigan Works was able to secure some funding, we're gonna help find people to get into the program and then were gonna provide them with scholarships," said Tykoki.

These scholarships will go to 60 Mid-Michigan workers and will total $195,000 all together.

Then each student will complete 80 hours of training, starting in May, to recieve a certificate.

However, Tykoki says those scholarships won't come easy.

"It will be competitive scholarships, we're really looking for the best of the best, people who are really passionate about this and have the skills necessary to succeed in the film industry," said Tykoki.

Charles Steinfield is a professor of media at MSU, and he says the film industry hosts jobs in for all types of people.

"People with good project manage experience, people who are good at logistics, people who are good at catering, people who are good at all sorts of things," said Steinfield.

The partners are hoping that the movie making in Michigan will help retain some younger workers, but more importantly, they hope it will help put Michigan back to work.

If you think you have what it takes, you're asked to request an application by sending an e-mail to Capital Area Michigan Works at film@camw.net and by clicking here: http://www.camw.org.