(MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA) - The Minnesota Film and TV Board announces revenue generated by the production of films and television projects in the State of Minnesota added almost $17 million dollars to the Minnesota economy during fiscal year 2001.

These dollars spent in Minnesota include labor, acting talent, set construction development, equipment, post production, travel, hotels and meals.

Feature films, TV movies and national TV series that were filmed in Minnesota during the fiscal year of July 1, 2000 through June 30, 2001 include: Joe Somebody starring Tim Allen, Wooly Boys starring Peter Fonda and Kris Kristofferson, and Comedy Central's "Let's Bowl."

The success of the film industry for Minnesota is due in part to the "Snowbate" program established by the Minnesota Film and Television Board. This unique rebate program is designed to stimulate production in the state. The Snowbate gives producers an incentive to shoot in Minnesota versus competing markets by returning 10% of documented production expenditures (up to $100,000). In 2001, the return on this investment was thirty times the dollars returned to the producers. This is the only rebate of its kind in the country.

The Minnesota Film and TV Board's mission is to build and promote the commerce and art of the moving image industry in the State of Minnesota. The Minnesota Film and TV Board is a unique public/private partnership and the only non-profit state film commission in the United States.