Incentives - Upper Midwest Film Office

City of Duluth Production Incentive Program:

In partnership with the Duluth Economic Development Authority (DEDA), the City of Duluth Production Incentive Program offers financial assistance in the form of a production rebate to certified applicants to encourage the creation of film, television, and digital media content in Duluth, MN. The program provides a reimbursement of up to 25% of production and post costs for film, television, episodic and commercial content projects that are spent within the City of Duluth. The Upper Midwest Film Office (UMFO) is the administrator of the program.

City of Duluth Production Incentive Guidelines

City of Duluth Production Incentive Application

City of Duluth Production Incentive Checklist

DEDA Rebate Expenditure Repo rt

Northland Bipoc Business Directory

City of Duluth Rebate funds are limited (up to $200,000, minimum spend of $10,000). If applications received for the City of Duluth Production Rebate exceed the total amount appropriated by the county for the program, Upper Midwest Film Office will maintain a waiting list. Projects that meet eligibility may be provisionally certified in amounts up 25% in the event that funds become available. Submission and/or provisional certification of an application does not in any way guarantee that a project will be reimbursed or that funds will be available.

Eligibility of reimbursements is based on the language of the approved guidelines and is non-negotiable. Submission and/or certification of an application does not in any way guarantee that a project will be reimbursed or that funds will be available. Applications are received and reviewed by UMFO with final approval and reimbursement payment to follow after economic activity has occurred and all financial obligations in the city of Duluth, MN have been paid and verified. If principal photography has already begun, the project is NOT eligible to apply.

Applications will be submitted by email to shari@uppermidwestfilmtv.org. Only completed applications will be considered. Only completed applications will be considered.

St Louis County Regional Production Incentive Program:

The St Louis County, MN Production Incentive Program offers financial assistance in the form of a production rebate to certified applicants to encourage the creation of film, television and digital media content in St Louis County and to foster the local organic growth of the production industry talent and workforce. The program provides a reimbursement of up to 25% of production and post costs for film, television, episodic and commercial content projects that are spent in St. Louis County. It is funded by St. Louis County and the Upper Midwest Film Office (UMFO) is the administrator for the program.

St. Louis County Rebate funds are limited (up to $1,000,000). If applications received for the St. Louis County Film Production Rebate exceed the total amount appropriated by the county for the program, Upper Midwest Film Office will maintain a waiting list. Projects that meet eligibility may be provisionally certified in amounts up 25% in the event that funds become available. Submission and/or provisional certification of an application does not in any way guarantee that a project will be reimbursed or that funds will be available.

Eligibility of reimbursements is based on the language of the approved guidelines and is non-negotiable. Submission and/or certification of an application does not in any way guarantee that a project will be reimbursed or that funds will be available. Applications are received and reviewed by UMFO with final approval and reimbursement payment to follow after economic activity has occurred and all financial obligations in St Louis County have been paid and verified. If principal photography has already begun, the project is NOT eligible to apply.

*Rebate reimbursements are provided by check via the USPS or by wire transfer. The bank fee for wire transfer is $25 per transfer. (Effective 1/1/23)

Applications will be submitted by email to shari@uppermidwestfilmtv.org. Only completed applications will be considered.

Iron Range Regional Production Incentive Program:

This 20% reimbursement may be combined with other incentive programs but must adhere to each respective program requirements.

This program offers financial assistance in the form of a production rebate to eligible applicants to encourage the creation of film, television, and digital media content production in the Department of Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation’s service area (also known as the Taconite Assistance Area). This program exists to help develop and maintain a strong production industry presence that will contribute substantially to the economy in the Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation’s service area in northeastern Minnesota. The program provides a reimbursement of up to 20% of production and post costs for film, television, episodic and commercial content projects that are spent in the service area.

Iron Range Regional rebate funds are limited (up to $500,000). If applications received for the program exceed the total amount appropriated for the program, UMFO will maintain a waiting list. Projects that meet eligibility may be provisionally certified in amounts up 20% in the event that funds become available. Submission and/or provisional certification of an application does not in any way guarantee that a project will be reimbursed or that funds will be available.

Eligibility of reimbursements is based on the language of the approved guidelines and is non-negotiable. Submission and/or certification of an application does not in any way guarantee that a project will be reimbursed or that funds will be available. Applications are received and reviewed by UMFO with final approval and reimbursement payment to follow after economic activity has occurred and all financial obligations in the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Service Area have been paid and verified. If principal photography has already begun, the project is NOT eligible to apply.

*Rebate reimbursements are provided by check via the USPS or by wire transfer. The bank fee for wire transfer is $25 per transfer. (Effective 1/1/23)

Questions about regional incentive programs should be directed to UMFO at

Applications will be submitted by email to shari@uppermidwestfilmtv.org. Only completed applications will be considered.

City of Superior Production Incentive Program:

In partnership with the Superior, WI Tourism Commission, the Superior Production Incentive Program offers financial assistance in the form of a rebate to certified applicants to encourage the creation of film, television, and digital media content in Duluth, MN. The program provides a reimbursement of up to 25% rebate on qualified lodging, food, and catering expenditures made in Superior film, television, and commercial content projects. The Upper Midwest Film Office (UMFO) is the administrator of the program.

Guidelines

Application

Superior Hotels

Superior Rebate funds are limited (up to $20,000, minimum spend of $10,000). If applications received for the City of Superior Production Rebate exceed the total amount appropriated by the county for the program, UMFO will maintain a waiting list. Projects that meet eligibility may be provisionally certified in amounts up 25% in the event that funds become available. Submission and/or provisional certification of an application does not in any way guarantee that a project will be reimbursed or that funds will be available.

Eligibility of reimbursements is based on the language of the approved guidelines and is non-negotiable. Submission and/or certification of an application does not in any way guarantee that a project will be reimbursed or that funds will be available. Applications are received and reviewed by UMFO with final approval and reimbursement payment to follow after the economic activity has occurred and all financial obligations in the city of Superior, WI have been paid and verified. If principal photography has already begun, the project is NOT eligible to apply.

Applications will be submitted by email to admin@uppermidwestfilmtv.org. Only completed applications will be considered.

State of MN Incentives

Transferable Tax Credit

The State of Minnesota offers up to a 25% tax credit to attract and expand film production in the state. A film production company (applicant) may receive an assignable Tax Credit Certificate for up to 25 percent of eligible production costs for a project that expends at least $1,000,000 in such costs in a consecutive 12-month period. Please see links to program guidelines and the application .

MN Production Rebate

The MN Production Rebate reimburses up to 25% of eligible Minnesota production expenditures. The incentive is available to qualified feature films, documentaries, TV pilots, programs or series, TV commercials, music videos, internet and post production only. The program, overseen by the Department of Employment and Economic Development, is designed to encourage film and television production and post-production in Minnesota, providing economic growth and jobs.

Applications should be submitted by email to jill@mnfilmtv.org