Lewistown 
Economic Effects of the Montana Film Production Industry
Creating of movies stimulates the local economy in a big way by bringing in tourists’ money, creating jobs and supporting Montana businesses. The Montana State Legislature passed the Montana Economic Development Industry Advancement Act in 2019 to offer an income tax benefit to entice film, television and other media productions to the state in light of this potential boost to local economies throughout Montana. The reports below provide an analysis of the economic, fiscal and societal impacts from film and television production in Montana and specifically evaluate the impacts associated with the MEDIA Act Tax Credit Program.
2022-2024
Productions that have filmed, July 2022 to mid-May 2024
- Number of productions: 167
- Total local direct spending: $149.9 million
- Total direct spending: $334.0 million
- Total local economic impact: $312.2 million
- Total jobs: 1,320 FTE
- Employee compensation: $95.8 million
- Total tax revenue $22.2 million
2021-2022
Productions that have filmed, July 2020 to June 2022
- Number of productions: 195
- Total local direct spending: $77.5 million
- Total direct spending: $191.8 million
- Total local economic impact: $153.9 million
- Total jobs: 840 FTE
- Employee compensation: $41.5 million
- Total tax revenue $16.6 million