Posted: | June 8, 2015 12:35 PM |
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From: | Representative Brian L. Ellis |
To: | All House members |
Subject: | Co-sponsorship: Digital Media Tax Credit in Pennsylvania |
In the near future, I will be introducing legislation which will establish a Digital Media Tax Credit in Pennsylvania. It is modeled after the popular Film Production Tax Credit that has brought substantial economic growth to our Commonwealth. Digital Media incentive programs across the country are widely successful economic development tools that encourage and promote career opportunities, especially for recent college graduates with degrees in video game production & design. Video Game Production has become a major industry with incredible growth in smartphone, console, and web based gaming, as well a marked expansion of the demographics of “gamers.” The second largest gaming demographic is now women age 35-55. Numerous other states offer incentives to draw potential studios to their states, and I want Pennsylvania to be a part of that. Pennsylvania has three of the best University programs in the country in Carnegie Mellon University, Drexel University and the University of Pennsylvania. We are losing these skilled graduates to other states who have embraced this industry. By offering tax credits to studios for the production costs associated with video game production, we can retain our graduates, their skills and the studios (small businesses) they start for the economic benefit of the entire state. Please join me by co-sponsoring this important legislation. |