Stay in LA — But the Stakes Are National: How Film and TV Production Shapes Local Economies Across the U.S.
Introduction
The hashtag #StayInLA has become a rallying cry for filmmakers and crew in Los Angeles, #StayInLA but the challenges behind it extend far beyond the state of California. Tax incentives, rising global costs, and shifting state policies increasingly shape production. Whether in Los Angeles, New York, Atlanta, Wilmington, El Paso, Portland, or South Dakota, the same story repeats: when productions relocate, communities feel the impact.
This blog examines how the #StayInLA movement reflects a nationwide issue, how different regions are responding, and why keeping production local benefits not only studios and crews but also entire local economies.
Stay In LA is a grassroots coalition of filmmakers, showrunners, crew members, actors, industry partners, and small businesses united by a shared mission: to keep film, television, and commercial production-and the thousands of jobs and local businesses it supports-in Los Angeles.
In 2025, Stay in LA has met with more than 60 legislators at the state, county, city, and town levels
What Is the #StayInLA Campaign?
#StayInLA is a coalition of writers, directors, producers, crew, and local businesses working to protect and expand film and television work in Los Angeles. Their goals include:
Making filming easier through streamlined permitting and lower bureaucratic costs.
Building stronger community relationships so productions are welcomed rather than resisted.
Advocating for policies and tax incentives that allow California to compete with other states and international markets.
Highlighting that when productions leave, thousands of small businesses lose revenue, from restaurants and hotels to transportation companies and rental houses.
Although the campaign’s name is LA-specific, the movement has gained attention across the country because every state now faces the same challenge: how to keep productions in town and avoid losing talent, jobs, and local revenue.
The National Production Landscape in 2025
Incentives as a Deciding Factor
California has recently expanded its film and television tax credit program, projecting 1.1 billion dollars in economic impact from 22 new TV projects announced in August 2025. More than 400 percent more productions applied for this latest round of credits compared to the last cycle.
New York has boosted its own program, increasing the annual cap to $ 800 million and creating a Production+ bonus that rewards studios for committing to multiple projects. North Carolina, Louisiana, Georgia, and Nevada are also fighting to keep their pipelines full.
The result is a highly competitive environment in which states compete to outbid one another for production dollars.
Rising Costs Abroad
Producing overseas is no longer the bargain it once was. Wages are rising in the UK, Canada, and Australia, inflation increases the cost of goods and services, and international governments are also offering their own tax credits. What once looked like a way to save money is now often comparable to, or more expensive than, staying domestic.
Strain on Crew and Infrastructure
As productions shift between regions, crews are often required to relocate or commute long distances. States that lose work experience talent risk a talent flight, while states that gain it risk saturating their infrastructure. Hidden costs such as travel, shipping, and per diem often offset tax savings.
How Local Economies Across the U.S. Are Feeling the Strain
Wilmington, North Carolina
Long known as “Hollywood East,” Wilmington experienced significant slowdowns in 2025. Shows like The Summer I Turned Pretty moved away, leaving rental houses, catering services, and local restaurants without a steady stream of business. Local officials have warned that uncertainty in incentives directly harms the small businesses that have supported productions for decades.
El Paso, Texas
The El Paso Film Festival highlighted how Texas’s incentive program affects not just studios but also artists, small vendors, and festival organizers. When state investment stalls, the cultural economy suffers, and independent filmmakers have fewer opportunities to tell local stories.
Portland, Oregon
Oregon industry leaders are warning that without stronger state investment, production will continue to bypass the region. Local crews and vendors see the impact firsthand: when shows skip Portland, restaurants, equipment rental shops, and transport companies lose contracts.
South Dakota
Despite some growth in film interest, South Dakota’s lack of a competitive incentive program remains a significant obstacle. Local communities want to attract production, but without a financial framework, the state cannot compete against more established hubs.
Charlotte and North Carolina Statewide
Beyond Wilmington, North Carolina officials have emphasized the need to distribute production jobs throughout the state. Crews and support vendors in smaller cities want access to the opportunities that have historically been concentrated in only one or two filming hubs.
Why Staying Local Matters
Production Is an Economic Multiplier
Every production dollar circulates through local communities. The cast and crew spend money on hotels, meals, transportation, retail, and various services. Losing production is not just about losing jobs on set; it is about losing the secondary business that sustains entire neighborhoods.
Infrastructure Is Irreplaceable
LA has the deepest infrastructure, but every state with a thriving industry has built ecosystems that matter: Wilmington’s vendor network, New York’s studio and post-production facilities, Atlanta’s growing backlot capacity. Once those networks collapse, it takes years to rebuild them.
Local Talent Pools Build Consistency
Skilled crew want to stay in their communities. When productions chase incentives elsewhere, local workers face long gaps between jobs or leave the industry altogether. This makes it harder for producers to find experienced, reliable professionals when they return.
Why Productions Should Support Campaigns Like #StayInLA
Efficiency: Staying local often lowers hidden costs associated with travel, shipping, and importing crew.
Stability: Local campaigns ensure long-term sustainability rather than short bursts of incentive-driven activity.
Community Goodwill: When productions invest in local economies, they build trust with neighborhoods, vendors, and policymakers.
Talent Retention: Supporting local initiatives ensures that the next generation of crew and artists stay in the industry.
The Set Medics Perspective
As a nationwide provider of medics and safety personnel, The Set Medics sees these trends unfold in real time. We staff productions in Los Angeles, New York, Atlanta, Las Vegas, and smaller emerging markets. Wherever we go, the story is the same: when productions stay local, communities thrive.
The talent is here, the demand is here, and the infrastructure is here. Whether in LA or any other U.S. hub, keeping production local is not just about making movies; it is about sustaining livelihoods, protecting ecosystems, and ensuring the creative economy remains strong.
Closing
The #StayInLA campaign may carry Los Angeles in its name, but it is part of a larger national issue. Productions should not think of staying local as just a financial choice. It is a commitment to the communities that feed, house, and support them.
If the industry truly wants to invest in its future, the answer is simple: stay local, support your crew, and strengthen the communities that make film and television possible.
