§41-7A-41. Legislative findings.

The following is hereby found and declared by the Legislature of Alabama:

(1) Although Alabama is filled with attractive natural resources, a growing workforce, and other resources attractive to the entertainment industry, Alabama has not developed its potential in terms of attracting the entertainment industry to the state by offering production incentives for qualified productions not previously offered in Alabama.

(2) Entertainment industry incentives offered by other states attract valuable projects to their states which stimulate local economies, use local manpower, offer other employment and entrepreneurial opportunities for state residents, and provide public awareness of the natural resources available in their states.

(3) Because Alabama does not currently offer a viable incentive package to the industry, Alabama cannot effectively compete with other states for attracting industry projects and those projects locate elsewhere.

(4) For Alabama to compete nationally or internationally for the location and production of more projects in Alabama and to foster a growing entertainment industry in Alabama, industry specific production incentives are immediately necessary.

(5) The Legislature recognizes and confirms the planning and promotion of the entertainment industry are of vital importance to the economic development of Alabama as are the recruitment, expansion, and retention of industrial development within the state, and the promotion of the entertainment industry should be included as an integral part of any comprehensive economic development strategy plan promoted by the state and state agencies.

(Act 2009-144, p. 268, §2.)