V.I. taxpayers' investment of $100,000 a year for the territory's Film Promotion Office brings a return of about $20 million, the head of the office told the Ad Club on Tuesday.
The revenues come from hiring local talent and production crews, hotels for off-island crew and talent, and equipment rentals, according to the Daily News.
Centeno, the film office's only staff member, said he hopes to make the Virgin Islands a major production center by offering one-stop shopping.
He said most of the commercials shot here use local production companies that provide location scouting, customs, clearance, catering arrangements, video assistance, camera equipment and lighting equipment.
The local companies providing these services include Grip Flicks, Mountain Video, Todd Hecht Productions, Flicks and Sunbow Location Services.
Centeno said this local talent is what has made it easy for films, videos and commercials to be shot here.
Centeno told the Independent he believes the Turnbull administration "knows this is an industry that has to be grown and (is) taking steps to make that happen.
The Film Promotion Office is part of the Tourism Department.
