Lights, Camera, Transaction: How Film Production Can Bolster the Economy

Cleveland, a city celebrated for its industrial roots and a dynamic music scene, is again making a quiet name for itself in the film industry.

Adding to the excitement is the buzz around Superman: Legacy, rumored to be filming in Cleveland this summer. This holds special significance as Superman, a cultural icon, was created right here in Cleveland’s Glenville neighborhood by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. Film productions get lots of attention when they take over Cleveland, but the Superman connection enhances the pride and heritage of something made in Cleveland.

Since the introduction of the Ohio Motion Picture Tax Credit in 2009, which offers a 30% refundable tax credit for productions like Superman: Legacy, Cleveland has become a backdrop for over 300 productions. This initiative has attracted major films like Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Spider-Man 3 and Netflix favorite I See You. The local engagement and execution supporting their production highlights our city’s potential in the cinematic world.

Over the years, the commission has facilitated the creation of 6,000 jobs and driven over $1.2 billion in spending to the region. There have been recent efforts to expand state film subsidies too. Combined with support from many other local sources, Cleveland gets an outsized impact from the statewide tax credit.

Cleveland sets itself apart because of the available workforce, interesting and diverse architecture, and facilities (from NASA sites to nature, or the classical and modern city architecture that could be a stand in for any other world class city).

When a production is underway in Cleveland, countless businesses get in on the mix, Cushman & Wakefield | CRESCO included. We’ve been a small part of working with landlords, site selectors and operators to get on-demand access to spaces for production, construction, storage and logistics. This work is led by the Greater Cleveland Film Commission, who has over the years drawn these exiting opportunities to Cleveland.

As film crews boost local business revenues, now is the time to position yourself in this thriving market.