By DONNA PAUL
Published: September 8, 2009
DETROIT — In the midst of a recession that has been particularly brutal in Michigan, a number of construction projects are on the verge of getting under way in a most unlikely business: the film industry.
The recent surge of interest was set in motion in April 2008, when Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm signed a 14-bill package into law, which among other things provided a 40 percent tax credit or cash rebate for studios on their business tax returns in Michigan. An additional 2 percent rebate is available for films produced in 103 communities.
There is also a 25 percent infrastructure credit, which is applied against expenditures on construction of a studio and its contents, said Janet Lockwood, director of the Michigan film office.