About
The Film Industry and Location Marketing (FILM) Task Force is charged with developing a coordinated strategy to position Howard County as a leading, film-ready jurisdiction in Maryland and the Mid-Atlantic region. The Task Force will review background data and economic impact potential; identify and recommend policies, investments, partnerships, and processes that strengthen the County’s attractiveness to film and television productions; expand economic opportunities for local businesses and workers; and elevate Howard County’s unique historic, cultural, and natural assets as competitive filming locations.
Home to a robust and thriving arts and cultural community, historic towns, scenic landscapes, and distinctive neighborhoods, Howard County is no stranger to film and television industry. Over the years, many film projects have featured Howard County in their productions, supporting our local economy. Through this Task Force, we aim to grow our efforts to access this untapped sector of our arts economy by positioning Howard County as a film-ready, competitive destination for film, television, and media production. Through this work, we will further expand economic opportunity, support our local workers and creatives, drive tourism and local spending, and showcase the unique assets that make our county so special and great.
Task Force Responsibilities
The Task Force shall conduct studies and reviews and provide advice and recommendations on the following areas:
Incentives and economic development tools that may make Howard County an attractive film location, including reviews, advice and recommendations on:
- Local incentive models that successfully attract productions.
- Potential County-specific incentives and fee adjustments to promote the film industry.
- Opportunities to align film-industry growth with tourism, small business development, hospitality, and growth of supporting industries.
- Make recommendations to assist in the development of a comprehensive inventory of potential filming locations including historic districts, parks, rural landscapes, County-owned facilities, commercial spaces, and adaptive reuse sites.
- Make recommendations on logistical feasibility (access, parking, staging areas, electrical capacity, security considerations).
- Make recommendations on opportunities for County assets, including underused or flexible spaces, to support production needs.
- Make recommendations on ways to access local availability of film-related trades and technical talent.
- Explore and recommend ways to support local small businesses in set construction, catering, transportation, lodging, media services, and related fields.
- Review existing workflows for permitting, road closures, insurance requirements, location agreements, and departmental approvals.
- Make recommendations as to necessary updates to County policies, codes, or administrative procedures to reduce friction and improve turnaround times.
- Evaluate and make recommendations as to a unified process or “single point of contact” model for production companies.
- Review long-term coordination functions, such as the creation of a permanent local film council to support the film, television and media industry.
- Make recommendations and provide feedback on a branding and messaging strategy to promote Howard County as a film-ready community.
- Coordinate with Visit Howard County to highlight accommodations, attractions, and local businesses.
- Recommend partnership strategies with the Maryland Film Office, production companies, streaming platforms, and independent filmmakers.
- Evaluate the creation of a digital film website or portal with site inventories, contact information, permitting guidance, and FAQs.
Task Force Members
- Amanda Hof, Co-Chair
- Robert Neal Marshall, Co-Chair
- Jennifer Jones, Howard County Economic Development Authority
- Theresa Colvin, Howard County Arts Council
- Director or designee, Maryland Film Office
- Mary Kane, Maryland Chamber of Commerce
- Dewan Clayborne, Central Maryland Chamber of Commerce
- Kristi Simon, Howard County Chamber of Commerce
- Chester Stacy, Production Design Professional
- Julie Miller, Columbia Association
- Demitian Gilbert, The Collective
- Nicholas Mooneyhan, Department of Recreation and Parks
- Bob Frances, Department of Inspections, Licenses, and Permits
Meeting Agendas and Minutes
| Meeting | Date | Location | Agendas | Minutes | Materials |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meeting 1 | February 19, 2026 at 12:00 PM | Howard County Welcome Center 8267 Main St, Ellicott City, MD 21043 |
|
Draft Minutes | |
| Meeting 2 & Public Hearing | March 30, 2026 at 4:30 PM |
Capitoline Center |
FILM Task Force - Meeting 2 Agenda | ||
| Meeting 3 | April 30, 2026 at 10:00 AM | TBA | |||
| Meeting 4 | May 20, 2026 at 4:00 PM | TBA |