January 28, 2026

Texas Is Done Playing Small:

Inside the State’s Billion-Dollar Production Reboot

Image generated using Google Gemini (OpenAI)

If you haven’t checked in on Texas lately, you might still be picturing a modest little rebate program politely waving from the sidelines while Georgia and New Mexico hog the spotlight. But the Lone Star State has clearly had enough of being the quiet kid in the back of the production-incentive classroom. Texas has leveled up — and it’s doing it with the confidence of a state that knows exactly what it brings to the table: space, talent, infrastructure, and now… money. Lots of it.

Over the last few years, Texas has transformed its incentive program from a humble rebate into a billion-dollar, long-term production magnet. And producers are paying attention.

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Rebates Up to 31%: Texas Is Not Playing Around

The Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Program (TMIIIP) now offers rebates as high as 31% when productions stack the available bonuses. That’s not a typo — and it’s not a drill. Between base rates and add-ons for Texas resident labor, underutilized areas, and other qualifying factors, the state has quietly built one of the most competitive effective rates in the country.

And unlike many states that love a good per-project cap (looking at you, New York), Texas keeps things simple: No per-project cap. Spend big, get big.

For producers with mid- to large-scale budgets, that’s a game-changer.

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A Decade of Guaranteed Funding = Stability

One of the biggest knocks on Texas used to be uncertainty. Funding fluctuated, allocations were modest, and long-term planning felt risky. But those days are gone.

Effective September 1, 2025, Texas lawmakers committed $300M every two years for the next decade, creating a stable, predictable incentive environment through 2035.

For episodic series, multi-season projects, and recurring productions, this kind of stability is pure gold. It signals that Texas isn’t just trying to attract a few one-off shoots — it’s building an ecosystem.

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Why This Matters: Texas Is Coming for the Heavyweights

With its new funding levels, Texas is positioning itself as a serious competitor to the major incentive states. The combination of:

• Rebates up to 31%

• No per-project cap

• A billion-dollar, long-term commitment

• A deep crew base

• Diverse locations (urban, rural, desert, coastline, small towns, futuristic skylines — pick your aesthetic)

…means Texas is now a legitimate contender for productions that previously defaulted to Georgia, New Mexico, or Louisiana.

And let’s be honest: producers love a state that respects their budget, their timeline, and their need for a little predictability.

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The Bottom Line

Texas has officially entered its “main character era” in the incentive world. What was once a modest rebate program has evolved into a robust, well-funded, strategically designed magnet for film, TV, and digital media production.

If you’re a producer looking for competitive rates, long-term stability, and a state that’s clearly ready to invest in your project, Texas deserves a spot at the top of your location shortlist.

And if you need help navigating the incentive, structuring your financing, or making sure your CPA audit doesn’t turn into a horror film — well, you know who to call.