By Staff
The City has joined with the River Country Tourism Council and the West Michigan Film Office in an effort to capitalize on the State of Michigan's film incentive.
Officially called the film production credit, the incentive is a refundable, assignable tax credit of up to 42 percent of the amount of a production company's expenditures (depending upon type) that are incurred in producing a film or other media entertainment project in Michigan.
If Michigan could get 1 percent of the commercial film dollars, it would equate to a $500 million boost to the state's economy.
Under the umbrella of the River Country Film Team, Assistant City Manager Rose Scherr has begun organizing a local team to market Dowagiac as the perfect place to film.
Negotiations complete on ICG Tech Center
Negotiations have been completed between Premier, ICG and the city regarding the lease and purchase of the ICG Tech Center, which will be on the council's agenda tonight.
This agreement will aid in re-use of the building, 19 new jobs, investment of more than $7 million in equipment and initial payroll of nearly $700,000 per year.
Children's safety open house gave six car seats
During the Oct. 4 Children's Safety Open House, the Police Department inspected 10 vehicles and gave away six car seats.
Of the six seats that were given away, four were forward-facing harnesses that can be turned into belt-positioning boosters.
One was a regular booster and one was a rear-facing convertible seat.
Nine children came to the event and all nine left safer than when they arrived.
IMMDA membership on council agenda tonight
Tonight, City Council will be asked to consider joining the Indiana and Michigan Municipal Distributors Association, whose members consist of municipal electric providers from Indiana and Michigan.
This group may be able to help in the renegotiation of contracts with AEP.
– City Manager Kevin P. Anderson