I moved to Idaho two years ago for personal reasons. I never expected to be a leader in starting a new industry here - one I believe will drive Idaho toward more economic diversity and provide more opportunities for jobs.

My background is in the film industry, and I'm able to use that experience toward helping numerous businesses get a toehold in the state's fledgling film industry.

I work for the Idaho Film Office, which implements and manages media industry-based economic-development and work-force development programs for Idaho. Nurturing strong partnerships with businesses, universities, chambers and elected officials, we continue to enhance the profile and relevance of the film and television production industry within the community.

It's not easy starting a new industry. Did I mention that there are just two of us in the Idaho Film Office? I'm the only full-time film person. We have had tremendous interest and support among industry here, as well as various partners statewide.

The Film Office staff was fundamental in starting Idaho Media Professionals, a new statewide organization of personnel working in the film industry. The organization has put on networking and screening events and workshops and has grown to roughly 85 members in its first year. Good start, but we continue to drive membership.

In anticipation of an expanded job market, the Film Office facilitates relevant workshops to prepare local workers for crew jobs. We are also working to implement a film studies degree program at Boise State University. Right now, a cinema studies certificate program at BSU is being reviewed by the curriculum committee for approval and could be implemented next year.

Why the interest in film? Quite simply, there's a lot of money out there.

Productions spend billions of dollars in the United States each year. Because on-location production is highly lucrative, it is ferociously competitive between states. Media production is also a clean, nonpolluting industry that happens to pay exceedingly well. The movie "Dante's Peak" added $12 million in Idaho's Panhandle during its 1996 filming.

Of course, there have been more recent success stories: Production in 2007 included "Extreme Makeover Home Edition" in Middleton and reality show "Baby Borrowers" in Eagle, in addition to other national catalog shoots in the Sun Valley area. Idahoan Troy Hinkley produced a feature film in Rexburg titled "Out of Time" in 2008. But those successes were very small, and producers didn't spend the kind of money, or hire the number of local people, that a larger film or TV production would if it qualified for Idaho's new film incentive.

Many states and territories have created robust, attention-getting incentives as lures to attract this industry.

In April, Michigan passed a 42 percent rebate for film and television productions filmed there. Their results: In just 19 weeks, 60 films have been approved and have signed agreements with the state, worth more than $373 million of in-state production and thousands of jobs for Michigan residents.

So how does Idaho get into the game?

We need to be competitive. The Idaho Film Office researched and wrote critical film-incentive legislation that was passed in March. A 20 percent cash rebate on in-state expenditures capped at $500,000 will be offered (at the point at which it is funded, possibly July 2009) as long as visiting productions hire Idaho crews. We plan to market the stunning and diverse Idaho landscape, along with the new production incentive "in the wings," to studios, commercial production houses and producers.

We anticipate success attracting some small-budget productions or pieces of larger films over the course of the program when fully operational. The result will be jobs for local media professionals and millions of dollars invested in Idaho business and services that would not have otherwise come to the state.

Idaho will need to stay competitive in this industry, and therefore we would like to submit additional legislation. We are preparing an Idaho crew advancement legislation and enhancements to the current production incentives.

Stay tuned.

Kathleen Haase is a film industry specialist for the Idaho Film Office, a division of the Idaho Department of Commerce. Reach her at 334-2470 Ext. 2176 or read more at www.filmidaho.com.

Starting Up is a series published on Thursdays. The columns grew from discussions between the Statesman and local tech and entrepreneurial leaders and are coordinated by Julie Howard, a specialist for the Idaho Office of Science and Technology. Reach her at julie.howard@commerce.idaho.gov.