Duluth Exploring Ways to Continue Drawing Film Industry to the Northland
Experts talked about the economic impact of productions shot locally, and how to keep the lights, camera and action here as much as possible, instead of pricier Los Angeles.
DULUTH, Minn. — Movie making in the Northland was the focus of a round table discussion Thursday hosted by the Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce.
Experts talked about the economic impact of productions shot locally, and how to keep the lights, camera and action here as much as possible, instead of pricier Los Angeles.
Just in the last year local films like “Abroad” or the documentary “Hockeyland” have emerged as a few of the names that have taken advantage of what the Northland has to offer.
The movie “Abroad” was shot up the North Shore between Two Harbors and Grand Marais, and the documentary “Hockeyland” followed local team’s Hermantown and Eveleth-Gilbert.
St. Louis county commissioner Mike Jugovich tells us the county is gaining traction as a desirable place to shoot films and it also creates more job opportunities.
“These are all good ways to attract business. I think it’s critical that people fully understand that we are about building infrastructure, we are about keeping the building trades working. This brings work in, electricians, carpenters, you name it, we want to make sure that our local people are working,” Mike Jugovich, Saint Louis County Commissioner said.
The Executive Director of The Upper Midwest Film Office, says the Northland’s pristine backdrops are a win-win for movie productions big and small, and spreading the word about our desirable movie set is the message she wants to get out most.
“Not many people know about that yet, that’s changing, and things are happening and its exciting, so really any chance we can get to let people know about how the film/TV production industry works, how it affects business here in Duluth, across northern Minnesota, and on the iron range is important to us,” Shari Marshik, Executive Director Of The Upper Midwest Film Office said.
Saint Louis County and Minnesota are trying to make the state as enticing as possible for film maker’s last year Saint Louis County provided a one million dollar incentive and in July, Governor Walz signed a bill which includes a yearly $5 million dollar tax credit through 2025.
Shari Marshik says these incentives have helped immensely, but their next move will be to ask state legislation to expand these incentives to draw more crews to the area.
