Monday, May 19, 2025
In a state budget littered with radical spending proposals that too often sideline suburban communities like ours, the proposed expansion of the New York State Film Tax Credit is a welcome breath of fresh air — one that will help Nassau County step into the spotlight rather than fade into the background.
As an assemblyman, I’ve seen firsthand how film and television production can breathe life into our local economy. From bustling main streets to tucked-away Gold Coast mansions, our region offers a cinematic backdrop that rivals anything seen on screen.
And thanks to the Empire State Film Production Tax Credit’s recently proposed expansion to $800 million, we’re on track to giving studios and independent filmmakers every reason to choose Nassau County and Long Island over Los Angeles.
This isn’t about Hollywood glitz. It’s about real blue-collar jobs. It’s about electricians and carpenters building sets at Grumman Studios. It’s about caterers feeding crews filming on our beaches. It’s about hotels hosting producers and local shops outfitting wardrobe departments. When a production sets up in our backyard, dollars start flowing — not just to actors and directors, but to everyday Long Islanders.
That’s the true power of the film tax credit: It incentivizes private investment, drives local spending and sends economic ripples across industries. According to state data, film and television production supports more than 57,000 jobs in New York. On Long Island, that number is growing fast — and Nassau County is at the center of the momentum.
The 15th Assembly District is home to two of the most advanced, state-approved sound stages in New York, Gold Coast Studios and Grumman Studios, with a combined 260,000 square feet of production space. Nassau County has attracted HBO’s acclaimed “The Gilded Age” to film in our backyard, in Old Bethpage. Our region enjoys both proximity to Manhattan and the logistical ease of suburban filming. Add in our rich tapestry of locations — historic estates, beaches, bustling towns — and you’ll see why we’re not just a good option for filmmakers; we’re the best one.
The benefits go beyond jobs and economic activity. These productions often make direct contributions to our public safety infrastructure. Local police departments frequently receive essential funding from production companies for security support, traffic coordination and overtime pay. That means more resources going directly to our law enforcement agencies, supporting the men and women who keep our communities safe.
Support for this credit isn’t confined to one party or region.
Promoting economic development through the arts isn’t a partisan issue. We all benefit when jobs are created, small businesses thrive and our communities get the recognition — and investment — they deserve.
Critics will argue that this credit is just another tax break. But let’s be honest: Would we rather spend taxpayer dollars on flashy political pet projects with no return, or on a proven program that builds infrastructure, employs our neighbors and showcases the best of what New York has to offer? This tax credit doesn’t just pay for itself; it multiplies our investment by drawing talent, tourism and long-term opportunity.
Nassau County already hosts some of the region’s most celebrated film festivals, from the Gold Coast Film Festival to the Long Island International Film Expo. These events put our communities on the map, spark local pride and help cultivate the next generation of filmmakers. With the expanded tax credit proposed to be in place through 2036, we have a chance to go even further — to establish Long Island as a national production hub, rivaling the likes of Atlanta, Toronto or even L.A.
And let’s not forget: Every production that chooses Nassau County over another state or country brings an implicit vote of confidence in our workforce, our quality of life and our future. By supporting this credit, we’re sending a message that Nassau County and Long Island are open for business, and ready to lead.
So the next time you catch a movie that features a familiar mansion or a beach you’ve walked, remember, that’s not just a film location. It’s an engine of economic growth. It’s a stage for local jobs. It’s a vision of our future — one in which we’re not just watching stories unfold, but helping to write them.
The film tax credit isn’t perfect. But in another year when so many budget items are set to leave suburban Long Islanders scratching their heads, this one gets it right.
Jake Blumencranz represents the 15th Assembly District.
