Contact: Scott Mills, APR
678-781-7201
scott@williammills.com
Advocacy Group Seeks Economic Development for State’s Music Business
• Georgia Music Partners Established to facilitate tax incentives not covered in successful 2008 Georgia Entertainment Incentive Act
• Increase economic impact and create jobs from music related businesses and productions
• Encourage investment in music technology
ATLANTA, December 16, 2010 — Georgia Music Partners, Inc. (GMP) organized to promote the business of music and related music technology in the state. Originally conceived as a subcommittee of The Recording Academy® Atlanta Chapter of (which produces GRAMMY® Awards), GMP now operates as a 501c6, not-for-profit organization.
“Georgia has such a rich and diverse music industry,” said Tammy Hurt, co-president and director of GMP. “We believe Georgia has to protect the value of the music industry as well as create jobs and increase tax revenue through incentives and a coordinated marketing program.”
Currently there are 15 states with tax incentives and other programs that target the music industry. The Georgia Film, Music & Digital Entertainment tax credit, which is credited with driving business to the state, does not address major segments of the music industry, such as sound recording or live entertainment.
Simon Horrocks, co-president and director, said, “Georgia music has significant cultural impact globally, and our creative community rivals any other city in the nation. GMP is focused on building on that legacy as the music industry moves in the future.”
The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) estimates the recording, live entertainment, music technology and related business service providers contribute nearly $2 billion in annual economic impact (see editor’s note).
GMP is focused on three programs to accomplish its mission to grow the state’s music business:
1) Incentives in the form of:
• Sound Recording / Studio Retooling Credit
• Live Performance Credit
• Infrastructure / Business Development Credit
• Economic Development Zone (City of Atlanta)
• Music Technology Investment Fund
2) Education Outreach
3) Industry Outreach
Through his publishing company, Bet I Penned It, famed R&B composer and performer, Sean Garrett (www.seangarrettmusic.com/bio) is GMP’s first sponsor. “I’m excited to be involved with Georgia Music Partners,” said Garrett. “As an Atlanta-based musician, GMP is working towards an important initiative that’s really close to my heart. Supporting a home-grown music industry will ensure that Georgia’s major musical talent continues to thrive in the state that produced it while, at the same time, contributing to the economy by developing business opportunity and encouraging expansion. Having come up in Georgia’s music scene, it’s a great way for me, as an artist, to give back to my home state in a very positive way.”
About Georgia Music Partners
Georgia Music Partners (GMP) is a 501c6 not-for-profit organization, which seeks to grow and protect the business of music and related music technology in the state of Georgia through economic development efforts, tax incentives and applicable educational opportunities. GMP was formed from a subcommittee of the Atlanta Chapter of The Recording Academy® (which produces GRAMMY® Awards). For more information, contact Scott Mills at 678-781-7201, scott@williammills.com or by visiting the organization’s Website at https://georgiamusicpartners.org
Editor’s note: https://www.georgia.org/GeorgiaIndustries/Entertainment/Music/Pages/MusicFacts.aspx
The National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, Inc., owns, among others, the following registered trademarks: National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences® and GRAMMY®
