Dallas Hopes to Boost Economy With TV and Film Tax Breaks

The Dallas city council voted unanimously to request a designation from the state that would allow the city to offer sales and use tax exemptions for redevelopment of TV and film production facilities.

1 minute read

May 27, 2024, 8:00 AM PDT

By Mary Hammon @marykhammon


View of downtown Dallas, Texas skyline with skyscrapers against twilight sky.

f11photo / Adobe Stock

The Dallas Morning News reports that the entire Texas city could soon be designated a media production and development zone. The city council unanimously approved asking the state to bequeath the designation, which “would let Dallas offer sales and use tax exemptions for two years to projects that involve the construction, expansion or renovation of a media production facility,” writes Everton Bailey Jr. According to Bailey, the incentive program was approved by the state in 2009 to encourage development of more TV and film production sites to boost the state’s economy.

Bailey reports that the city has already selected a first project, the renovation of South Side Studios in South Dallas, which could boost economic activity by $13.6 million and bring in 86 new jobs, at the cost to the city of $150,000 in sales tax money and another $456,000 in tax revenue. The zone designation would last for at least five years, and cities can request up to three projects to receive tax exemptions at a time. Other Texas cities with existing zones include Austin, Fort Worth, and Midlothian.

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, at least 18 states have enacted measures to implement or expand film tax incentives since 2021.

Wednesday, May 22, 2024 in The Dallas Morning News

Single-family homes in a suburban neighborhood in Florida.

New Florida Law Curbs HOA Power

The legislation seeks to cut down on ‘absurd’ citations for low-level violations.

June 16, 2024 - The Guardian

Multistory apartment building under construction.

New Tennessee Law Allows No-Cost Incentives for Affordable Housing

Local governments in the Volunteer State can now offer developers incentives like increased density, lower parking requirements, and priority permitting for affordable housing projects.

June 10, 2024 - Nooga Today

Aerial view of intersection in New York City with yellow cabs and zebra crosswalks.

Planners’ Complicity in Excessive Traffic Deaths

Professor Wes Marshall’s provocatively-titled new book, "Killed by a Traffic Engineer," has stimulated fierce debates. Are his criticisms justified? Let’s examine the degree that traffic engineers contribute to avoidable traffic deaths.

June 13, 2024 - Todd Litman

Brick high-rise apartment buildings in New York City

Study: Housing Crisis is About Affordability, not Supply

New research shows that there is no overall shortage of housing units, but all U.S. metropolitan areas face a severe lack of affordable units for low-income renters.

June 18 - University of Kansas

Couple on one side of desk with banker on other side looking at paperwork.

Are Race-Based Lawsuits Affecting Community Lenders?

Shelterforce spoke with community lending leaders and experts about the current mood across the sector. What, if anything, are organizations doing to avoid becoming the next target of conservative activists?

June 18 - Shelterforce Magazine

Rendering of Glory Park in Lewisville, Texas.

New Park Promotes Community and Connectivity in Lewisville, Texas

The city of Lewisville just celebrated the opening of Glory Park/Parque la Gloria, helping to improve park access and the quality of life for residents.

June 18 - Lewisville Leader

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.