More than 7,500 sign petition to keep NC film incentives

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A local petition calling on North Carolina lawmakers to keep the state's film incentive program has already received more than 7,500 signatures.

Mike King doesn't work in film, but he believes other industries will also suffer if state incentives for film production are cut.

"They should have incentives to bring businesses here. I can't believe they got rid of them," King said.

RELATED: Itemized list of what NC spent in tax incentives for 2013

Right now, the state gives any production company a 25 percent tax credit to film in North Carolina. That program is set to expire at the end of this year. It's a decision that supporters of the "Keep North Carolina Film Incentives" petition hope to reverse.

The petition says, in part, "Without incentives, productions quickly find other states that are more receptive to hosting the business."

As Channel 9 previously reported, the State Department of Revenue estimated film companies spent an average of $236 million on projects in North Carolina from 2011- 2013.

Channel 9 called the creator of this petition. He didn't return our phone calls but people we spoke with in Charlotte had a lot to say.

"You think back to 20 to 30 years ago, this city wasn't even recognized. A lot of people didn't even know where Charlotte was," said Norman Patton.

Alastir Swan added, "It brings a lot of tourism to the state -- you get to see where Hunger Games was filmed and stuff like that."

Next year, the state has budgeted $10 million in grants for film production.

In 2013, the state gave just over $61 million in tax credits to production companies.

Channel 9 also called and emailed Gov. Pat McCrory's office for comment. So far we have not heard back.

WSOC