This story is a part of the QCBJ’s Newsmakers edition. This year-end wrap-up from the staff of the Quad Cities Business Journal is a compilation of the year’s most noteworthy articles and projects, as told through stories that appeared in the bi-weekly issues of the QCBJ. This story was originally published in July 2022. “Why […]
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This story is a part of the QCBJ’s Newsmakers edition. This year-end wrap-up from the staff of the Quad Cities Business Journal is a compilation of the year’s most noteworthy articles and projects, as told through stories that appeared in the bi-weekly issues of the QCBJ.
This story was originally published in July 2022.
“Why would anyone want to film a movie in Rock Island?” That’s what Tarah Sipes, Rock Island’s community and economic development manager, asked herself when she first learned of a plan — then known as “Project Film” — to bring a Quad Cities Film Office to her city. “To me it seemed like a lot of work for very little reward,” she said, before adding, “After looking at the project as an economic development project — understanding the existing assets, compiling the assets, and marketing the assets — the feasibility of this effort became more clear.” Ms. Sipes can be forgiven for her initial skepticism. Despite the films, documentaries, television shows and commercials that have been shot in this area of the Midwest, many longtime Quad Citians still are unaware of the great locations and the depth of talent and experience that can be mined in the bistate region, insiders say. Davenport’s Doug Miller, however, is intimately familiar with what the Quad Cities has to offer entertainment productions. His Two Rivers & Associates production company has focused for more than 30 years on bringing entertainment projects to the bistate region. He also has a wide range of government, community and industry connections, which led Illinois to offer Mr. Miller a contract to help Ms. Sipes set up a new Quad Cities Regional Film Office. The seed money for the startup will come from a one-year, $65,000 grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO). “This grant came from discussions with Doug Miller and others to incentivize film production in the Quad Cities,” said Illinois state Rep. Mike Halpin, who worked to extend tax credits to expand the exploding film industry. Mr. Halpin and Mr. Miller credited The Illinois Film Production Tax Credit Act for a large chunk of that success. Mr. Halpin said the QC office will be a liaison with the national film industry, the Illinois Film Office, local governments, local creators and the QC film workforce. “The goal is to facilitate local projects, and demonstrate that our community is film friendly and prepared to meet the needs of the industry,” he said.
“Why would anyone want to film a movie in Rock Island?” That’s what Tarah Sipes, Rock Island’s community and economic development manager, asked herself when she first learned of a plan — then known as “Project Film” — to bring a Quad Cities Film Office to her city. “To me it seemed like a lot of work for very little reward,” she said, before adding, “After looking at the project as an economic development project — understanding the existing assets, compiling the assets, and marketing the assets — the feasibility of this effort became more clear.” Ms. Sipes can be forgiven for her initial skepticism. Despite the films, documentaries, television shows and commercials that have been shot in this area of the Midwest, many longtime Quad Citians still are unaware of the great locations and the depth of talent and experience that can be mined in the bistate region, insiders say. Davenport’s Doug Miller, however, is intimately familiar with what the Quad Cities has to offer entertainment productions. His Two Rivers & Associates production company has focused for more than 30 years on bringing entertainment projects to the bistate region. He also has a wide range of government, community and industry connections, which led Illinois to offer Mr. Miller a contract to help Ms. Sipes set up a new Quad Cities Regional Film Office. The seed money for the startup will come from a one-year, $65,000 grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO). “This grant came from discussions with Doug Miller and others to incentivize film production in the Quad Cities,” said Illinois state Rep. Mike Halpin, who worked to extend tax credits to expand the exploding film industry. Mr. Halpin and Mr. Miller credited The Illinois Film Production Tax Credit Act for a large chunk of that success. Mr. Halpin said the QC office will be a liaison with the national film industry, the Illinois Film Office, local governments, local creators and the QC film workforce. “The goal is to facilitate local projects, and demonstrate that our community is film friendly and prepared to meet the needs of the industry,” he said.