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Utah Film Commission says rural film incentive drove $200M in local spending; seeks continued appropriations
Summary
The Utah Film Commission reviewed four years of the rural film incentive, telling lawmakers it attracted 28 productions and more than $200 million in direct local spending across nearly every county. The commission said the program boosted hotel nights, jobs and local vendor revenue, and noted ongoing funding needs beyond a $1 million base appropr
The Utah Film Commission told the committee its rural film incentive, created in 2022 to encourage productions outside the Wasatch Front, has brought 28 projects to the state and generated more than $200 million in local spending.
"When productions choose rural Utah, the impact is real and immediate," Virginia Pierce, director of the Utah Film Commission, said. "They spend in hotels, restaurants, hardware stores, rental shops and paychecks across the state."
Pierce walked lawmakers through case studies the commission used to illustrate the program’s economic reach. She said a Marvel production stayed 11 days in Emery County and spent "over $4,000,000" and took more than…
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