Governor Cuomo has just signed a law that will move major motion pictures and television production to the Hudson Valley.

Important tax incentives to the motion picture industry are now available for the Mid Hudson Region. For Laurent Rejto, head of the Hudson Valley Film Commission, it's been a long time coming.

We spoke with Rejto this week as he urged local residents and business owners to call on the Governor to finally sign the legislation that would bring more jobs and tax dollars to the Hudson Valley.

Rejto explained that the tax incentives available in the Lower Hudson Valley, but nonexistent in our area, made it economically impossible for major motion pictures and television shows to film in the region. For example, a new film starring Adam Sandler and Ben Stiller called "The Meyerowitz Stories" was shot on location in Suffern this spring, even though the story takes place at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie and Bard College in Northern Dutchess County.

In a press release Rejto said

Film and TV production brings a contemporary, clean and socially responsible industry to the region and offers economic opportunities, increased living standards and creates stronger communities by providing career and educational opportunities.

There are currently two television shows that take place in the Hudson Valley, but neither of them are filmed here. "Eyewitness" on the USA Network takes place in Tivoli but is filmed in Canada. A comedy set in Beacon called "People of Earth" is currently airing on TBS, but none of it was actually filmed in the Hudson Valley.

The hope is that this new legislation will encourage film studios and production companies to begin filming in the Hudson Valley instead of taking their business elsewhere.

Actor Mary Stuart Masterson said on Friday

With this added 10% bump in the film tax credit, the Mid Hudson Valley will be a go-to location for series television and film production.

When we spoke with Rejto this week he noted that there were several high profile projects just waiting to hear if the legislation would be signed. So don't be surprised if cameras start rolling in the Hudson Valley very soon.

More From WPDH-WPDA