that district for things such as infrastructure, all with the aim of spurring future development. Municipalities will sometimes designate an area as a TIF district with the purpose of revitalizing a blighted area. TIFs are critical economic development tools that are used in urban and rural parts of Oklahoma. Mark VanLandingham, senior vice president of government relations and policy for the Chamber, said keeping the state’s laws on TIF districts intact was one of the main legislative priorities this session for the Chamber and was pleased to see HB 1379 fail to advance out of committee. “The City of Oklahoma City has strategically used TIFs as an economic development tool to facilitate the reopening of the Skirvin Hotel in 2006, the construction of Devon’s World Headquarters, the redevelopment of the First National Center and the construction of the First Americans Museum, and other monumental projects over the years. Taking the decision of whether to create TIF districts out of the hands of the City Council would have been a major setback.” The City of Oklahoma City currently operates 15 TIF districts across the city. A TIF district established for the renovations to the Skirvin sparked additional development and tourism around downtown. The development of 180 acres throughout downtown, known as Project 180, came as a result of a TIF for the Devon project. And without the assistance from a TIF district established for the iconic First National Center, transformation of the now 92-year-old structure into a more modern hotel and apartment tower may never have come to fruition. Another Chamber economic development priority this session is to increase the annual cap as part of the Filmed in Oklahoma Act of 2021. The law created an enhanced rebate program designed to lure more filmmakers to the state. The program currently has a $30 million cap; however, state and local officials would like
to see the cap raised. Rep. Scott Fetgatter introduced House Bill 1362 this session that, if passed and signed by the governor, would raise the film incentive cap by an additional $50 million. Another part of HB 1362 would decrease the percentage of rebates for film projects from a maximum of 38% to 30%, which would provide more projects an opportunity to receive incentive funding, especially if the cap is raised to $80 million. HB 1362 was heard and passed out of the House Rules Committee Feb. 28 and will now go to the full House for consideration. Leading the charge to raise the cap are the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber and its newly opened Oklahoma City Film & Creative Industries Office, the Oklahoma Film and Music Office and film industry officials throughout the state. According to the Oklahoma Film and Music Office website, in fiscal year 2022, the first year the state began offering incentives under the program, the state received 77 applications for various film projects. Of those 77 applications, 22 were approved for incentive funding. So far in FY 2023, which ends June 30, 2023, the state film office has already received 116 applications. Unfortunately, many of those productions will not receive incentive funding because even more companies are now competing for the same pot of money – hence, the need to raise the cap. If passed and signed by the governor, House Bill 1362 would raise the film incentive cap by an additional $50 million.
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