by Lee Stranahan
I’ll speak about something I know something about – New Mexico has the best film industry incentives in the United States. They have two programs – one a loan program and one that gives you back 25% of any money you’ve spent in New Mexico. Bill Richardson was a big force behind them.
Here’s why they are great for New Mexico – it’s caused an influx of smart, creative film industry types into the state and has created thousands of good paying jobs for the people already there. (The philosophical underpinnings of the program are from the ideas of author Richard Florida’s work on ‘the creative class’.) The program has made money for the state. It’s well run and widely respected. It’s been out-of-the-box thinking that has taken advantage of New Mexico’s human and natural resources.
So, knowing what I know — Richardson for Commerce sounds good to me.
