The film and television industry brought in roughly $18 million for Westchester County in 2014, according to a report by Westchester County”™s Office of Tourism & Film.
Revenue was up from $13.8 million in 2013, an increase Westchester County Executive Robert P. Astorino attributed to a 32 percent increase in on-location production days, which totaled 318 in 2014. According to the report, 90 percent of county municipalities saw revenue from the film and television industry in 2014, and 66 percent of film productions patronized local businesses. Another 25 percent of film productions hired local vendors last year.
“The film industry in Westchester has never been bigger,” Astorino said in a statement. “We are enjoying a starring role in Hollywood”™s featured films and successful television programs because of our incredible and diverse locations ”” from beautiful parks and shorelines, to historic Main Streets, charming neighborhoods and bustling urban sites.
“The number of productions filmed is proof that Westchester is ready, able and open for business,” he added.
The shows “Orange is the New Black” (Netflix), “The Good Wife” (CBS) and “Girls” (HBO) are among those that have filmed scenes in Westchester. Productions filmed in the county earned nine Golden Globe nominations last year, as well as 29 Emmy nominations in 2014 and 28 in 2015.
Bedford, which has hosted “Orange is the New Black” and “Girls,” has collected $60,000 in film and television fees over the past two years as well as $34,000 so far in 2015. The city of Rye has also seen more than $100,000 in permit revenue generated since 2013.
“Filming is good for our town,” said Rye Deputy Clerk Diane Moore. “Merchants see benefits and the town collects revenue. It’s also good exposure for Rye to the outside world.”
Astorino anticipated continued growth in Westchester’s film and television industry this year due to the release of feature films, including “Ricki and the Flash.”
The county”™s economic impact estimates are based on a formula used by the Association of Film Commissioners International. Westchester County’s Office of Tourism & Film is a division within the county executive’s Office of Economic Development.
According to a March report for Empire State Development Corp. by Camoin Associates, a Saratoga Springs-based economic development consulting company, New York state in 2013-14 invested $1.1 billion in incentives through production tax credits and post-production tax credits to be paid out through 2018. Due to those incentives, the report said, state and local municipalities will receive $1.2 billion in tax revenue more than 30,000 jobs will be created per year.
Westchester County Tourism & Film Director Natasha Caputo said 22 filming permits were issued for county-owned locations in 2014. Each municipality handles permit distribution on village, town and city-owned properties. Caputo said tax incentives, which are handled by state tourism office, are not available at the county level through her office.
