On August 29th, Missouri Governor Mike Parson came to the construction site where Gateway Studios & Production Services is building a 32-acre five-building studio and rehearsal complex. Surrounded by local and state officials, politicians, local media, and the Gateway team, Parson signed Bill 94 into law, known as the Entertainment Industry Jobs Act. It allows a tax credit for entertainment-related clients coming to Missouri for rehearsal and tour expenses equal to 30% of the cost, and it includes expenses like concert tour equipment, stages, sets, sound and lighting equipment, and scenery.
“This will not only be an economic driver for Missouri but will have a lasting effect on job creation,” said Gateway CEO Trey Kerr at the ceremony. “This legislation is a significant step forward in allowing Missouri to compete on an equal playing field with other states and create hundreds if not thousands of new high paying jobs here in Missouri and have the $300 million investment that you see behind me happening here today at Gateway Studios campus. It’s an exciting moment.”
When Governor Parson was asked the rhetorical question of why he was signing it, he quipped: “I can’t act, I can’t play music, and I can’t sing. So, I’m going to support the people that can.” Then he added: “This will be here for the next generations.” He thanked all the legislators for making it a bi-partisan success and singled out Kerr and the Gateway team for their herculean efforts to make this a reality.
The backdrop for all this were the three studios whose exteriors were almost complete, the largest one designed specifically with NFL football field dimensions in mind.
The history of Bill 94 goes back to 2013 when Missouri allowed tax incentives for television and film to expire. As shows like Ozark and movies like Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri were filmed in other states, the urgency to renew it increased. Meanwhile, the Gateway team was working on incentives to lure music production here, particularly rehearsals for big tours.
“This is all about jobs for our industry and here in the state of Missouri,” Kerr said after the ceremony. “Acts that come here to use Missouri vendors and facilities will also need to do a minimum of two shows in the state, too, so it’s an economic driver.”
“This is a huge step forward,” added David Haskell, Gateway President of Business Development. “But it’s just the beginning. Now, the work begins.”
