Film tax credits spur economic development, job growth
Pittsburgh Film Office, union officials chart city’s history, economic growth
Rep. Ryan Bizzarro July 20, 2026 | 3:11 PM
PITTSBURGH, July 20 – From “Silence of the Lambs” and “The Dark Knight Rises” to “Mayor of Kingstown” and “The Pitt,” more than 250 productions have filmed in southwest Pennsylvania while generating billions of dollars in economic activity and supporting good-paying jobs.
“Pittsburgh and western Pennsylvania offer unique landscapes, neighborhoods and settings that can’t be recreated elsewhere,” said Rep. Emily Kinkead, who represents portions of Allegheny County. “When production companies choose Pennsylvania, they're not just telling stories on screen — they're creating jobs, buying services, supporting local businesses and investing in our communities."
Kinkead hosted a roundtable discussion and tour by the House Majority Policy Committee Monday. Joined by the Pittsburgh Film Office and local union officials, state lawmakers discussed the Pennsylvania Film Tax Credit program, which offers a 25% tax credit to productions that spend at least 60% of their total budget in the state.
“Pennsylvania is always competing for jobs, whether it’s in manufacturing, technology or film – we want to bring dollars back to our hometowns,” said Policy Committee Chairman Ryan Bizzarro, who represents portions of Erie County. “Film tax credits help Pennsylvania stay competitive, and they can be the difference between a production coming to Allegheny County or one heading to New Jersey, Georgia, Illinois or New Mexico.”
Productions can result in economic opportunity for the region. The Pittsburgh-filmed series “Mayor of Kingstown” has generated thousands of jobs and an estimated $700 million in the local economy during its four seasons of filming – a portion of the $2.5 billion generated by film projects, according to the Pittsburgh Film Office.
The roundtable focused on the positive economic impact of film tax credits, a discussion of what an expansion and modernization of the program would mean for the state, and if policy changes are needed to compete with neighboring states like New Jersey.
State lawmakers were joined by Dawn Keezer, the executive director of the Pittsburgh Film Office; Mamie Stein, the president of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees Local 489; Kevin Schmitt, the president of Teamsters Local 249 and; Bryan Lysell, the executive director of the Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists Ohio-Pittsburgh Local.
Information about this hearing and other House Majority Policy Committee hearings can be found at pahouse.com/policy. Photos to be used for publication can be found on the day of the hearing at Facebook.com/PADemPolicy.