Film legislation bringing big bucks to Michigan

MID-MICHIGAN (WJRT) -- (07/31/08)--The governor's office says new legislation passed earlier this year is bringing major investment to Michigan.

The United States film industry rakes in $60 billion each year. We're starting to see Michigan may be getting a cut of that.

The governor's office and the State Treasury Department say in the past few months, 44 films have signed agreements with the Great Lakes State.

Treasury officials say that should bring in more than $268 million. All this comes after unprecedented steps in Lansing earlier this year.

Lawmakers unanimously passed bills giving major tax breaks to film companies. In some cases, that includes a 40 percent rebate.

Critics claim those perks will blow a large hole in Michigan's budget. But the move is drawing rave reviews from some businesses.

For example, McDonald Modular Solutions Inc. provides trailers for events like the Buick Open and film shoots.

A spokesman for the Southfield-based corporation says its investing hundreds of thousands of dollars to cater to production crews.

"What we've committed to do to at this point is invest in enough equipment to do three pictures," said Bill Duffield, vice president and general manager of McDonald Modular Solutions Inc.

"We have two signed up with the third not signed on the dotted line yet, but with a strong commitment."

The film incentives have especially helped one Grand Blanc Township company.

Business is good for Dan Gearing.

"We're looking at a location in Detroit for a warehouse down there. We're looking at some more trucks," he said.

Gearing, the owner of Ciao Catering on Fenton Road in Grand Blanc Township, has catered multiple movie productions, including "Semi-Pro" and "Transformers."

He's expanding after lawmakers passed bills giving film companies major tax breaks and rebates earlier this year.

They used to have one name, spelled CIAO. Now they've added a slightly different spelling for a new industry. Gearing says he's recently tripled his staff and bought a gargantuan catering truck.

"It's like 'MTV Cribs,'" he said.

He invested more than $100,000 in the truck.

"This is indigenous to L.A.," he said. "There's nothing like it here -- not yet.

"This is basically a full kitchen that you would see in any restaurant. We've got three full-size commercial ovens. We've got enough storage here to support about 1,000 plates a day."

And it's got something you'd need on any movie set.

"We have enough coffee here for 350 cups," Gearing said.

With 15 employees and a half dozen movies on the horizon, Gearing has high hopes.

"I think this new incentive bill is going to bring just a huge influx of industry and job opportunities," he said.

"There's just this huge pie coming to Michigan. If you're creative and you're industrious, get a piece of the pie."

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