Due to public health concerns and as authorized by Executive Order of the Governor, this meeting will be conducted via video conference and teleconference. The public may view and listen to the meeting via webcast by clicking the link below. Members of the public may submit comments on the Agenda items in writing to [email protected] by 4:30 pm on Wednesday, April 21, 2021.

Provides Over $1 Million Annually for Job Creation and Training Programs that Support a Diverse and Inclusive Workforce in the Motion Picture and Television Production and Post-Production Industries    Eligible Training Programs May Receive Up to $500,000    Empire State Development today announced the launch of the New York Entertainment Workforce Diversity Grant Program. More than $1 million annually in matching funds will support diversity and inclusivity in job creation and training programs for New York's film and television industries. The grant program is funded through the Empire State Entertainment Diversity Job Training Development Fund which, at the suggestion of industry leaders, is financed by an allocated percentage from New York State’s film tax credit program.    Empire State Development Acting Commissioner, and President & CEO-designate Eric Gertler said, "Through this important initiative, more than $1 million will support the development of a more diverse and inclusive workforce for one of New York's fastest-growing industries. Film and television production has a multiplier effect in both creating jobs and spending with a significant economic impact on our economy, and this program will help ensure the industry reflects the New York's greatest strength -- our diversity."  Matching grants from $25,000 to $500,000 will be awarded for job creation and training programs that support efforts to recruit, hire, promote, retain, develop, and train a diverse and inclusive workforce. These training programs should aim to provide talent to production and post-production companies in the motion picture and television industries within the state of New York. Eligible applicants will be required to provide 2:1 matching funds and can be a not-for-profit organization or corporation, a for-profit corporation, a guild or a labor union.     Eligible programs include the training of individuals involved in the principle creation of or editing of a film or television product. These skills and crafts include but are not limited to:    Grip/Electric    Carpentry    Writing    Editing    Showrunners    Production Assistant    More information, instructions and registration for the virtual information sessions are available here.   This program is part of a larger statewide initiative to increase diversity and inclusion and create equal opportunities in the film and television industry. This includes the New York State Multicultural Summit, an interactive workshop that guides content creators of diverse backgrounds to better understand and advance their careers within the film and television industry, and PITCHNY®, which provides aspiring young filmmakers, producers and writers from across New York with resources and mentorship from entertainment industry leaders.     Additionally, this program builds upon the successful Film Production Training Program, an unprecedented partnership between New York State, Bronx Community College and IATSE Local 52 to train students for work in union trade crafts, such as property, carpentry and electric.      New York State’s Film and TV Production industry continues to be one of the fastest growing industry sectors across the state. A recent report from HR&A Advisors, an economic development consultant and research agency, found that the New York film and television industry grew 4.5 times faster than the overall State economy, translating to a 55 percent increase from 2004 to 2018, and capturing one in three jobs added to the sector nationwide.    Since media production has been permitted to return at the end of summer 2020, more than 80 productions that applied to participate in the New York State Film Tax Credit Program have returned to work. These productions anticipated hiring over 195,000 individuals over the course of their production and directly spending more than $4 billion dollars across New York State. In 2019 and 2020 the film tax incentive program led to over $20 billion in anticipated economic impact and supported 114,200 full time jobs.  Every dollar in tax credit issued through New York State’s Film Tax Credit Program leads to over $9 in economic activity.   New York State has made unprecedented investments in workforce development. Since 2019, when Governor Cuomo announced $175 million State investment for job training projects, nearly $32 million dollars in awards have been announced to 278 projects benefitting more than 18,000 New York workers. Awarded projects under the new WDI Consolidated Funding Application will support strategic regional efforts that meet businesses’ short-term workforce needs, long-term industry needs, improve regional talent pipelines, enhance the flexibility and adaptability of local workforce entities, and expand workplace learning opportunities.      Motion Picture Association Chairman & CEO Charles Rivkin said, “We are proud to be part of the development of this important program to create a more diverse production workforce in New York and look forward to working with our companies to facilitate this new pipeline for employment.”    IATSE International Vice President and Local 52 President John Ford said, "Local 52 looks forward to engaging in these programs as they come to fruition. Thanks to the support of the Governor and the Legislature, we anticipate the need for a diverse workforce trained to provide production with the people they need to get the job done.”     Chair, Post New York Alliance President and COO Trevanna Post Yana Collins Lehman said, “The Post New York Alliance looks forward to participating in the NYS workforce development program. We share ESDs strong commitment to extending opportunities to all communities in New York State and to diversifying the film and television post-production industry.”    About the Governor's Office of Motion Picture & Television Development      The New York State Governor's Office of Motion Picture & Television Development, a division of Empire State Development, aims to grow and support the film, television and commercial industry by guiding filmmakers through the many programs and assets New York State has to offer, promoting and publicizing the state’s infrastructure, talent and film production, post-production, and commercial tax incentives for qualified expenditures in New York State. The office also serves as a liaison between production companies and city and local governments, state agencies, a network of statewide contacts, local film offices and professional location scouts and managers. More information on filming in New York State or the Film Production and Post Production Tax Credit Programs can be found here.  About Empire State Development   Empire State Development is New York’s chief economic development agency. The mission of ESD is to promote a vigorous and growing economy, encourage the creation of new job and economic opportunities, increase revenues to the State and its municipalities, and achieve stable and diversified local economies. Through the use of loans, grants, tax credits and other forms of financial assistance, ESD strives to enhance private business investment and growth to spur job creation and support prosperous communities across New York State. ESD is also the primary administrative agency overseeing Governor Cuomo’s Regional Economic Development Councils and the marketing of “I LOVE NY,” the State’s iconic tourism brand. For more information on Regional Councils and Empire State Development can be found here and here.  Contact: Kristin Devoe | [email protected] | (518) 414-1087 Press Office | [email protected] | (800) 260-7313