Clackamas County Business and Economic Development Unveils Online Film and Media Permitting Process

Clackamas County Business and Economic Development has unveiled a new one-stop online permitting application for film and media production enterprises wishing to film anywhere in Clackamas County. In partnership with the Governors Office of Film and Television, Clackamas County is promoting the regional development of the film, video and multimedia industry in order to increase the industry revenues and investment county-wide.

Clackamas County Business and Economic Development division serves as the primary liaison between film and media productions, cities and agencies. It is responsible for marketing and attracting film and media-related businesses to Clackamas County for the purpose of economic development; for assisting productions with the permitting process; and for connecting and facilitating communications between Clackamas County communities and productions. The film and media production initiative is an emerging economic driver within the county. Production costs, employee compensation and tax payments account for more than $200 million in annual GDP and more than 5,000 jobs.

The new county-wide permitting process stemmed from outreach conducted by Business and Economic Development staff while researching growth strategies for the emerging film and media cluster. Staff learned that lack of consistent and uniform permitting throughout the county could discourage film companies from choosing filming locations within the county. After researching permitting processes throughout the state and nationally, Clackamas County developed the county-wide one-stop permitting process for all potential filming locations.

We have an incredibly diverse landscape of urban, agricultural, small towns and mountain settings perfect for film locations, said Clackamas County Economic Development Manager Catherine Comer. We wanted to do everything we possibly can to make the permitting process easy and uncomplicated.

The result, this new online tool that allows filmmakers to apply for filming in Clackamas County with just a few computer keystrokes. Once the permit application has been submitted, respective cities are notified of potential filming taking place in their local jurisdictions while the county manages permitting for unincorporated areas. Each jurisdiction is responsible for collecting its own fees and issues the respective permit. Clackamas County’s economic team led the effort to build the online form as an effort to assist in the growth of the film industry within the county; however this has been collaboration between the Economic Development staff and the county’s Department of Technology Services, as well as cities and industry leaders throughout the county.

Shaun Gavin, location manager for NBC’s “Grimm” said the website has served their production needs well.

“The website is easy to navigate and completing the online permit form was a breeze,” Gavin said.

Clackamas County has been a stellar partner for us as we continue to grow Oregon’s film and video industry, Vince Porter, executive director of the Governor’s Office of Film and Television, said. “Having a one stop permit process is a huge step. We look forward to working with the county on even more projects down the line.”

To learn more about Clackamas County Business and Economic Development and its film and media initiatives, go to http://www.clackamas.us/business/film.html or contact Jamie Johnk at 503-742-4413 or email [email protected].

 

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