Pennsylvania’s Hollywood moment: Jeremy Renner’s ‘Mayor of Kingstown’ leads industry boom

Pennsylvania’s film industry hits record growth with 72 productions including “Mayor of Kingstown,” generating $767 million and creating 6,700 new jobs statewide.

Pennsylvania’s film industry is experiencing a significant boost as the hit streaming series “Mayor of Kingstown” continues production in Pittsburgh. The show, starring Jeremy Renner, has become a prime example of how strategic tax incentives can drive economic growth and job creation in the state’s entertainment sector.

Major investment fuels Pennsylvania’s film industry growth

The Pennsylvania Film Office has announced a $30 million film tax credit for the fourth season of “Mayor of Kingstown,” building on the show’s already substantial economic impact. The production has generated more than 2,600 jobs and contributed over $100 million to the state’s economy.

Film Commissioner Gino Anthony Pesi emphasized the multiplier effect of film productions on local economies, stating, “When a TV or film production comes to Pennsylvania it’s a huge driver for the local economy. Crews need housing, equipment, transportation, catering and other services, hire area workers, and spend money at local businesses.”

Record-breaking year for Pennsylvania film projects

The state’s film industry has seen unprecedented growth under Gov. Josh Shapiro’s administration, with 72 film projects choosing Pennsylvania as their production location. The 2023-24 fiscal year alone saw a record 50 projects, generating more than $767 million in economic activity and creating over 6,700 jobs for state residents.

The success stems from Pennsylvania’s competitive Film Tax Credit program, which offers a 25 percent tax credit to productions spending at least 60 percent of their total budget within the state.

Impact on Pittsburgh’s entertainment economy

Pittsburgh Film Office Executive Director Dawn M. Keezer highlighted the program’s significance, saying, “Feature films and TV productions have impacted this region to the tune of $2.5 billion. The continued expansion of the program is vital to our growth and the good, family-sustaining jobs and workforce development opportunities it supports.”

The success of the film tax credit program is part of Governor Shapiro’s broader economic development initiatives, which include:

• Implementing the first statewide economic development strategy in nearly 20 years
• Securing $500 million for the PA SITES program
• Creating the Main Street Matters program with $20 million in funding
• Expanding support for minority-owned businesses through a $20 million investment

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This story was generated in part by AI and edited by The Keystone staff.

This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.