Momentum Builds for Wisconsin Film Production Incentives & State Film Office with New Legislative Proposal & State Budget Provisions

Monday, April 14, 2025, Milwaukee, WI – Action! Wisconsin, a statewide coalition of filmmakers, producers, businesses, and supporters of film and television projects, commends the growing momentum building for establishing a state film office and production incentives to attract and compete for film projects produced in Wisconsin.

The coalition is excited at the growing bipartisan support on this issue.

This past Thursday, a legislative proposal from last year has reemerged and is being circulated to all Wisconsin state legislators to seek their support and co-sponsorship. The proposal would provide $10 million per year for tax credit film production incentives and establish a Wisconsin State Film Office. The lead authors of the legislation, LRB-2456 and 2810, are State Senators Julian Bradley (R-New Berlin) and Patrick Testin (R-Stevens Point); and, State Representatives Dave Armstrong (R-Rice Lake), Calvin Callahan (R-Tomahawk), and Karen Hurd (R-Withee).

The proposal will be introduced, receive a bill number and referred to a committee after April 22.

Earlier this year in mid-February, Governor Tony Evers (D) announced provisions included in the proposed 2025-2027 biennial state budget that would also provide $10 million per year for tax credit film production incentives and establish an “Office of Film and Creative Industries.”

Film & Television Productions Boost Local and State Economies
“Wisconsin is falling behind other states and missing important economic development and state tourism opportunities,” said Milwaukee filmmaker Suzanne Jurva, a member of Action! Wisconsin. “We are 1 of only a few states without a state film office and 1 of 13 that does not offer production incentives – the number one factor studios and companies consider when deciding where to film.”

Without such incentives, film, television and streaming production companies are bypassing Wisconsin in favor of other states. Illinois and Minnesota have invested in their own efforts to tap into this economic development opportunity because of the production activity it creates. According to the most recent data, Illinois generated a record-breaking level of nearly $700 million in film expenditure in 2022.

Production tax credit incentives are an effective strategy that attracts filmmakers and their projects, and as outlined in the Wisconsin legislative proposals, they include minimum spending requirements to guarantee a certain portion of a project’s production budget will be invested in Wisconsin. Such spending requirements benefit a variety of local businesses and boost local economies.

“Film and television productions book lodging, cater shoots, dine out, and use local transportation. They also shop and hire locally and statewide in the trades and crafts,” said Action! Wisconsin member JoAnn Jardine, a film liaison and photographer from Superior. “Everyone benefits when a film or TV production comes to town.”

According to the Motion Picture Association, when a movie films on location, it adds over $670,000 daily to the local economy. On average, big budget productions add $1.3 million to the local economy each day of filming.

Action! Wisconsin cites Bravo’s Top Chef: Wisconsin reality television program which was filmed in Milwaukee, Madison and Door County last year. The crew’s two-month stay resulted in a substantial economic infusion, notably with 7,000 hotel nights generating nearly $5 million. Additionally, Milwaukee saw a $1.5 million spike in hotel room bookings from Top Chef: Wisconsin viewers in the six months following the season’s premiere. This influx of spending extends beyond lodging, as businesses featured in various episodes continue to reap financial benefits.

Please visit the Action! Wisconsin website (www.actionwi.org) to learn more and to contact your state legislators with your support.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.