New York Is Music Builds Momentum For Empire State Music Production Tax Credit At Roundtable On NY State Music Industry

New York Is Music, the new music industry advocacy group that has doubled in size since going public last month to over 120 organizations, institutions, small businesses and individuals representing thousands of music industry professionals in New York State, has made significant progress in its first initiative: building support for the proposed Empire State Music Production Tax Credit.

On November 12, New York is Music partnered with NYS Assemblyman Joseph Lentol to host a roundtable discussion at Brooklyn’s Wythe Hotel centered on the proposed Empire State Music Production Tax Credit. Introduced by Assemblyman Lentol (Brooklyn, District 50), the bill is intended to provide companies and individuals who record and produce music in NYS with a 20% income tax credit for qualifying expenditures. Panel participants, led by Assemblyman Lentol and NY Is Music co-founders Justin Kalifowitz and Bill Harvey, were joined by state and local government officials and industry stakeholders to speak about topics including: The size, scope and economic impact of New York's music industry; Local issues affecting business development and job growth; What other regions are doing to attract and develop music industry; and opportunities for the music industry to collaborate with the city and state. See below for full list of panel participants.

Justin Kalifowitz, CEO of Downtown Music Publishing and co-founder of New York is Music says: “I’m thrilled with the glowing reception we got at our roundtable about the Empire State Music Production Tax Credit - from panelists and our music industry peers, alike. Our roundtable helped make significant progress with bringing others on board, and provided a lot of great new ideas as to how we’re going to build a diverse and viable music industry ecosystem across the state. Passing the Empire State Music Tax Credit is the first step needed to ensure that New York stays as the global music capital.”

Assemblyman Lentol echoed the sentiment stating: “The Empire State Music Tax Credit will increase our tax rolls statewide and double or triple the investment of the tax credit. Just like what happened with the film industry. It will certainly be a top priority in the upcoming session. New York is still the center of music globally, but how can we call it ‘the capital’ when our government takes music for granted? I look forward to once again calling New York the ‘music capital of the world,’ and I am sure the music tax credit will make that happen.”

The packed audience of 100 included policy advisors from city and state government agencies and representatives from the music industry. Another similar roundtable discussion will be held in Albany in January 2015.

November 12th Roundtable Panel participants were:
Justin Kalifowitz- CEO, Downtown Music Publishing / Founder, NY Is Music
Bill Harvey- William Harvey Studio / Founder, NY Is Music
Joe Lentol- NYS Assemblyman (D-Brooklyn)
Kirk Imamura- Owner, Avatar Studio
John O'Connor- Recording Vice President at AFM, Local 802
Maya Kremen- Political and Communications Director, Local 802
Carlo Scissura- President + CEO, Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce
Marty Nolan- GM, Cult Records
Binta Brown- Lawyer, Entrepreneur, Musician.
Rich Bengloff- President, American Association of Independent Music
Lindsay Scola- Director of External Affairs, Mayor's Office of Media & Entertainment
Gregg Wattenberg- Grammy-nominated producer/songwriter/studio owner
Ben Allison- VP & Advocacy Committee Chair, NY Chapter of the Recording Academy
Linda Lorence Critelli- VP Writer-Publisher Relations, SESAC; President, NY Chapter of the Recording Academy
Anthony Rodolakis- Director, NYS Assembly

About New York is Music: New York Is Music was conceived in early 2014 by William (Bill) Harvey (William Harvey Studio) and Justin Kalifowitz (CEO of Downtown Music Publishing), who are concerned that New York State is losing its position as the epicenter of the global music business. The coalition seeks to increase awareness of the music industry’s economic impact, advocate for local and state initiatives that retain and grow jobs; promote music education; and support the preservation of New York’s rich multi-cultural music heritage. The coalition has over 120 members, comprising organizations, companies and individuals representing thousands of music industry professionals.

New York Is Music’s first initiative is to support passage of the Empire State Music Production Tax Credit, a bill introduced by NYS Assemblyman Joseph Lentol (Brooklyn, District 50). The proposed legislation is modeled in part after the success of the New York State Film Tax Credit (also spearheaded by Assemblyman Lentol) that rejuvenated the State’s film industry.

Photo Credit: Alex Altar

For the full list of NY Is Music supporters, more information, facts about the New York State music industry, or to join New York Is Music, go here: http://nyismusic.org/

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