While it was not a stumbling block getting it through the interim committee, a few legislators wondered if the expanded incentives would effectively harm existing Utah businesses by attracting out-of-state firms that would capitalize on the incentives. But supporters say those companies already compete on a national basis, that other states are offering strong incentives and Utah could lose jobs if it does not have something comparable to offer, and that existing businesses looking to grow significantly — not just out-of-state companies — would be eligible to get the incentives.

Shooting for shoots

Another piece of legislation that could springboard from an earlier success is a bill that would create a $3 million annual fund to help TV series and movies and motion pictures shoot in Utah. Supporters of the state's film industry believe a $1 million test program was successful enough to warrant a larger, permanent fund.

A demonstration program, in which several projects received tax rebates based on the amount of money they spent in Utah, is expected to yield a $4.50 return for each state dollar spent. However, no TV series or major movie production company capitalized on the incentives. To make sure that doesn't happen, the new measure calls for $2 million annually to be available for TV series and made-for-TV movies shot in-state. Motion pictures — both features and independent films — would get a $1 million annual pool.

Incentives would be higher for companies using local labor and shooting in rural parts of the state.

While supporters acknowledge that Utah has many scenic vistas that other states cannot match, some of those other states and countries are forking over huge incentives to attract TV and movie crews. If Utah doesn't do the same, it could lose not only the money spent by those crews but also the opportunities to promote the state through scenes shot in Utah, they say.

The Workforce Services and Community and Economic Development Interim Committee endorsed the bill.

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E-mail: bwallace@desnews.com; danderton@desnews.com