Economic Development

The production company name on the application is the name that will be listed on the certificate issued by MDA. The production company name on the application and certificate must match the name to be used on production expenditures, billings, and invoices for those expenses to …

The application must be submitted before the beginning of production for the Mississippi portion of the project. It is suggested the application be submitted to the Mississippi Film Office at least one month prior to the start of pre-production. Notes 6 Miss. Code. R. 1-16.13 Mis…

The Mississippi Film Office and MDA's Financial Resources Division review the application for requisite information and determine whether it meets the program's requirements. Based on submitted budget information, the MDA establishes a maximum rebate figure at this time. The date…

Announcement of Project. Once the production is prepared to publicly announce the project and has its funding in place, the production company must notify the Mississippi Film Office. The production then is placed on the agenda of a public meeting of the MDA Board for official MD…

If any information submitted in the application changes, the production company must notify the Film Office; official MDA approval of a production company for the Mississippi Motion Picture Incentive Program is subject to the representations made by the production company in the …

Any upward revision of the original rebate estimate must be requested in writing to the Mississippi Film Office and submitted prior to the completion of production in Mississippi. A revised budget must be submitted to substantiate the revision. Notes 6 Miss. Code. R. 1-16.17 Miss…

Upon completion of the Mississippi portion of the project, the production company must supply the Mississippi Department of Revenue and the Mississippi Film Office with documentation to substantiate the rebate request. The Department of Revenue will provide sample templates for t…

The Mississippi Department of Revenue will audit the submission in house and will attempt to deliver a first review of the rebate request within 90 days after submission of all required and requested documentation. Notes 6 Miss. Code. R. 1-16.19 Miss. Code Ann. § 57-89-1 et seq. …

There is a $50,000 minimum Mississippi investment (local spend) per project. There is a $10 million per project rebate cap. There is a $20 million annual rebate cap. There is no minimum requirement for production days or percentage of production spend. At least 20% of the product…

In the event the production company fails to pay vendors, employees, or independent contractors in a timely fashion, the audit and review process may be delayed until those issues are resolved. Notes 6 Miss. Code. R. 1-16.20 Miss. Code Ann. § 57-89-1 et seq. (Rev. 2014) Adopted 1…

A. During pre-production, the production must submit to the Mississippi Film Office blank copies of the production's Certificate of Insurance, the Location Agreement, and any talent releases and crew deal memos. Other relevant forms may also be requested. B. No later than a week …

These guidelines may be amended by MDA at any time. MDA, in its discretion, may temporarily waive any requirement of these guidelines to the extent that the result of such waiver is to promote the public purpose of the Act and is not prohibited by State laws. Notes 6 Miss. Code. …

Utilization of the Mississippi Motion Picture Incentive Program must be acknowledged on screen, and a Mississippi Film logo must be included in the end credits. Graphic will be provided. Additionally, cities and/or counties where filming took place must be acknowledged. Notes 6 M…

A. A production is eligible for a 25% rebate of their base investment (local spend) in Mississippi. The base investment is based on production expenditures in Mississippi. As a general rule, Mississippi spend is defined as expenditures made to companies based in Mississippi, incl…

A production is eligible for a 25% cash rebate on payroll and fringes paid to non-resident cast and crew whose wages are subject to Mississippi income tax withholding and for that portion of their salary for the project up to and including $5 million. For purposes of this program…

A production is eligible for a 30% cash rebate on payroll and fringes paid to resident cast and crew whose wages are subject to Mississippi income tax withholding and for that portion of their salary for the project up to and including $5 million. (The employee must live in Missi…

A production is eligible for an additional 5% cash rebate on payroll paid to any member of the cast or crew who is an honorably discharged veteran of the United States Armed Forces. Notes 6 Miss. Code. R. 1-16.7 Miss. Code Ann. § 57-89-1 et seq. (Rev. 2014) Amended 10/19/2016…

Regarding stand-alone post and ADR/voiceover/recording for production not originated in Mississippi: the voiceover talent payroll rebate cannot be more than three (3) times the production spend for the session in Mississippi. (For example, if the total production spend, including…

In addition to the Mississippi Motion Picture Incentive Program, Mississippi offers a sales and use tax reduction on eligible rentals/purchases to encourage film production in the state. Production equipment and machinery used directly in the filming and/or editing of a project m…

The goal of the program is to generate increased travel into and/or within Mississippi, have broad appeal targeting markets beyond the local area and make an economic impact on the area through tourism promotion. Visit Mississippi Tourism Matching Grants Program administered by t…

Approved projects will receive all of the funded amount (up to 50 percent of total eligible costs) after submission and approval of the applicant's final report, which must be submitted to the Visit Mississippi Director of Tourism within one year of the grant award date. All fund…

The following information listed in quotations must be retyped on documents with your letterhead. Fill in the information for your project and include it in your final report. It must: A. Be titled "Invoice for Payment"; B. Include "Contact Name"; C. Include Organization Name" (a…

For more information on the Visit Mississippi Tourism Matching Grants program, please contact: Yvonne Layton at 601-359-2781 or by email at ylayton@mississippi.org Notes 6 Miss. Code. R. 1-17.12 Miss. Code Ann. § 57-1-60, et seq (1972), as amended. Adopted 11/21/2014 Amended 7/9/…

Eligible applicants for funding are Mississippi Convention and Visitors Bureaus or Chambers of Commerce with designated Tourism Council or Commission or established Tourism Councils with the primary objective of promoting tourism. In addition, an applicant organization that recei…

For auditing purposes, we must have an established tourism entity designated as a financial base for the payment of the grant monies. Notes 6 Miss. Code. R. 1-17.3 Miss. Code Ann. § 57-1-60, et seq (1972), as amended. Adopted 11/21/2014 Amended 7/9/2020

Projects eligible for funding consideration include only those directly related to the promotional efforts targeted to markets outside your immediate area (over 100-mile radius or out of state). The following are the only projects eligible and applicable costs after submission an…

The selection process will be carried out by a five-member committee made up of the president (or his designee) of the Mississippi Hotel & Lodging Association, the Mississippi Restaurant Association and the Mississippi Tourism Association, plus two additional members appointed by…

All projects receiving a grant must adhere to the following rules. If any of these rules are not followed, a project will be deemed ineligible for consideration, and the Director of Visit Mississippi will withhold monies to the project. The rules are: A. Display Visit Mississippi…

The following material must be attached/included with the application: A. Potential for economic return. Number II in the Matching Grant Application. All applications must identify target audiences and demonstrate potential for economic return. (**NOTE: IF THIS IS A REPEAT PROJEC…

A. Notification of the grant awards. All projects approved for funding must receive written confirmation from Visit Mississippi within 40 working days. (No oral approvals will be allowed). B. Modifications to grant projects. If a project changes during the development stages, the…

A. Is backup documentation arranged in same order as listed on original application? B. Is copy of vendor's invoice included? Eligible/applicable expenditures should be highlighted - sales tax not eligible. C. Is copy of the canceled checks (front and back) or Bank Statement prov…

The Mississippi Rail Grant Program (RAIL), as authorized and codified in the Mississippi Railroad Improvements Fund -- Miss. Code Ann. § 57-46-1 (Rev. 2014) -- and administered by the Mississippi Development Authority (MDA), is designed for making grants to railroads ("Applicant"…

Any entity owning or operating a rail line in Mississippi that wishes to apply for a grant must submit an application to MDA. An eligible applicant is defined as follows: A. Regional Rail Authority a publically owned entity established to provide rail service for a defined region…

Eligible projects shall have a direct connection to economic development or aid in the creation of jobs. Eligible projects must identify specific repairs or improvements to a line that would make the line more competitive when providing services to industry in Mississippi. Notes …

RAIL funds may not be used for working capital, for general expenditures, which would normally be covered under an applicant's general operation budget, or for administrative expenses. A. A limited amount of funds may be used for engineering/architectural cost. The amount of thes…

To apply for the Rail Grant Program, a completed application that is submitted by an Applicant must include: A. Purpose of the proposed grant including a list of eligible items and the cost of each; The estimated cost of the total project, a description of the Applicant's investm…

A. The program intent is to stimulate growth and economic development through rail transportation infrastructure in the State. B. The amount of each grant awarded will be based on the applicant's ability to participate in the project, the degree of need for the improvements, the …

A Memorandum of Understanding will be executed between the Applicant and MDA. Notes 6 Miss. Code. R. 1-18-1.7 Miss. Code Ann. § 57-46-1 (Rev. 2014). Adopted 12/14/2014

A. MDA will release RAIL program funds on a reimbursement basis for approved eligible costs of the project as incurred. B. The Applicant shall certify to MDA during construction that the expenses were incurred and were in accordance with the plans and application approved by MDA.…

Program inquires and applications should be directed to: A. Mississippi Development Authority Financial Resources Division Post Office Box 849 Jackson, Mississippi 39205 Telephone: (601) 359-2415 ~ Fax: (601) 359-3619 B. These guidelines may be Adopted by MDA at any time. MDA, in…

The Mississippi Air Service Development Program Act, ("ASDP") administered by the Mississippi Development Authority ("MDA"), is designed for making grants to commercial service airports to aid commercial airports in achieving their goals and objectives to enhance commercial air s…

If the air service or carrier discontinues the new service or route that was the subject of the grant during the 12-month grant period, MDA shall cease all unexpended disbursements incurred after the service was discontinued and move to terminate the grant agreement. Notes 6 Miss…

A Grant Agreement will be executed between the Grantee and MDA. The Grant Agreement cannot be executed until all required conditions in these guidelines have been met and all documentation received. Notes 6 Miss. Code. R. 1-19-1.11 Miss. Code Ann. § 57-1-471 (Rev. 2014). Adopted …

MDA will release ASDP funds on a reimbursement basis for approved eligible costs of the project as incurred. Payments will be only paid directly to the Grantee with proof of payment of eligible costs. Funds will be released upon receipt of the ASDP Form of Requisition and support…

Grant recipients shall submit to MDA a final report within 45 days of the final disbursement of grant funds under the agreement. The report shall describe in full detail the results of the grant including but not limited to: (a) New airline added; (b) New destinations or addition…

Funds provided under ASDP are subject to audit by the State Department of Audit. Notes 6 Miss. Code. R. 1-19-1.14 Miss. Code Ann. § 57-1-471 (Rev. 2014). Adopted 11/11/2015

These guidelines may be amended by MDA at any time. MDA, in its discretion, may temporarily waive any requirement of the guidelines to the extent that the result of such waiver is to promote the public purpose of the Act and is not prohibited by State law. Notes 6 Miss. Code. R. …