The Broken Arrow City Council has officially approved a new $100,000 pilot film incentive program designed to attract film productions and drive economic growth in the community. The approval, granted at the Feb. 25, 2025, City Council meeting, follows Visit Broken Arrow’s (VBA) endorsement of the initiative on Feb. 11, 2025.
This decision comes on the heels of a recent economic impact study revealing that the "Filmed in Oklahoma Act" has generated over $531 million in direct economic impact for the state since its inception in 2021. The study highlighted that 60 percent of qualified spending went to worker wages, with the remaining 40 percent funding direct purchases of goods and services. Incentivized spending significantly increased from $31.8 million in fiscal year 2020 to $161.3 million annually between 2021 and 2023. (okbusinessvoice.com)
The newly approved Broken Arrow Film Incentive aims to position the city as a premier destination for film production. With this program, Broken Arrow will have Oklahoma's second-largest municipal film incentive, behind only Oklahoma City. The $100,000 pilot program will allow VBA and the City of Broken Arrow to evaluate the program’s success and determine long-term funding strategies.
Key features of the incentive include:
- 10% rebate on local spending during a film project
- $500 rebate for every 12 room nights spent at a Broken Arrow hotel
- 10-20% rebate on the cost of production space used during filming
“The film industry in Oklahoma is booming right now, and we’re confident this incentive will serve as a catalyst for economic growth in Broken Arrow,” said Makala Barton, Tourism Manager for the City of Broken Arrow and the Visit Broken Arrow Board. “By attracting film productions, we not only support local businesses and hotels but also increase exposure for our community as a vibrant filming destination.”
Councilor Lisa Ford, who serves on the Visit Broken Arrow Board, emphasized the impact this initiative will have on local businesses. “This incentive is a smart investment in Broken Arrow’s future. When film productions come to town, they bring business to our hotels, restaurants, and local vendors. It’s an opportunity to showcase our city on a bigger stage while creating real economic benefits for our residents.”
The VBA Board first explored the idea of a local film incentive at its Nov. 12, 2024, meeting, directing staff to research feasibility and logistics. A preliminary draft of the incentive was presented at the Jan. 14, 2025, meeting, followed by revisions based on board feedback.
With the City Council’s approval, the program is now set for implementation, with a review scheduled after one year to assess its success and determine long-term funding.
For more information about filming in Broken Arrow and the new incentive program, visit filminba.com
