ALBANY, NY — Gov. Andrew Cuomo has signed legislation that expands the New York State Film Production Tax Credit to counties where it was previously not available, and that includes Orange, Ulster and Sullivan counties. The bill was signed on November 4.

The legislation makes the counties eligible for an additional 10% credit on top of the 30% statewide credit, in an effort to attract film and television productions to upstate New York.

The legislation was sponsored by Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther. She said, “The film industry has brought billions in revenue to the State of New York. Expanding it to include the Catskills will enable our communities to tap into that revenue, while creating jobs and advancing the local economy. I’m grateful for Gov. Cuomo’s commitment, not only to this industry, but to the 100th Assembly District.”

The measure was also supported by a number of entertainers including Chevy Chase, Natalie Merchant, Debra Winger, Mary-Stuart Masterson, Mark Ruffalo and Aidan Quinn.

Ramsay Adams, executive director of Catskill Mountainkeeper, also supported the bill. He said that, by signing it, “Gov. Cuomo signaled to the filmmaking industry that our region is open for business. With so many unspoiled locations to choose from to get the perfect shot and a tax credit that puts us on an even playing field with the rest of the state, shooting a film in the Hudson Valley is a no-brainer. This type of credit supports an industry that embraces, but doesn’t exploit our natural resources.”

“This legislation was about leveling the playing field,” said Todd Diorio, president of the Hudson Valley Building and Construction Trades Council. “Assemblywoman Gunther understands that members of the construction trades have had to travel more than an hour to work on productions in the studio zone, negatively impacting their quality of life, which is why she fought so hard for this new law. This is an opportunity to capitalize on an extraordinary economic development opportunity—one that benefits unions as well as private sector businesses.”

According to industry experts, a moderate-sized, six-month production will bring approximately $3 million into the local economy in food and lodging alone.