igh, N.C.- North Carolina Commerce Secretary John E. Skvarla, III and the Economic Development Partnership of N.C. announced three productions will receive funds from the newly established North Carolina Film and Entertainment Grant. The three productions altogether are expected to have direct in-state spending of more than $60 million across North Carolina this year.
“The grant recipients reflect a good mix of productions that will film on our coast, in our mountains and in a major metropolitan area,” said Secretary Skvarla. “These productions will showcase our state’s amazing diversity of resources.”
The film and entertainment grant recipients include:
Under The Dome will be based out of Wilmington for the filming of its third season in North Carolina. The CBS series is a take on the popular novel by Stephen King and examines how residents react when a giant dome is placed over their town. The television series uses the cities of Burgaw, Southport and Wilmington to create its fictitious town of Chester’s Mill. The eligible grant amount is $5 million.
An untitled Lionsgate Television Project will also receive funding and is expected to shoot in Western North Carolina. The eligible grant amount is $4 million.
Late in the Season is a story of a 31-year old Seattle stockbroker with a mysterious past who walks on to a small North Carolina college basketball team and inspires his struggling teammates’ lives with hope as they reach for a championship. The production will use the picturesque Davidson campus as its main location and will base in the greater Charlotte area. The eligible grant amount is $1 million.
“North Carolina has a rich tradition in the film, television and commercial production industry and we look forward to continuing to showcase our state and the crew members’ hard work on the large and small screen,” said Guy Gaster, director of the North Carolina Film Office within the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina. “Our first grant recipients will make their presence felt across the state and will give us a chance to leverage some partnerships to further promote North Carolina”
The North Carolina Film and Entertainment Grant provides financial assistance to attract productions that will stimulate economic activity and create jobs in the state. Companies receive no money up front and must meet direct in-state spending requirements to qualify for funds.