Lionsgate Entertainment has secured a cool $8.9 million in provincial and municipal government incentives to shoot an unnamed U.S. series in Edmonton — scoring a whopping 45% of its $20-million budget.

The unique deal was initiated by the Edmonton Economic Development Corporation, which brought Lionsgate and the Alberta Film Commission to the table. The City of Edmonton kicked in $3.5 million in grants, and the province ponied up $5.4 million. Officials are talking up the job opportunities.

‘A TV series like the Lionsgate production creates long-term, ongoing employment throughout the year,’ says Ron Gilbertson, EEDC president and CEO. ‘While movies generate high-profile attention, they employ crews for a comparatively short period — several weeks or a couple of months.’

An EEDC news release hinted that the deal may extend past one year, stating that 13 hour-longs ‘per season’ will be ‘filmed both in-studio and throughout various locations in the city.’

Lionsgate has not yet said if the show is new to its slate, or if it will relocate one of its existing series — such as The Dresden Files, which shoots in Toronto.

The Santa Monica-based company also declined to name the broadcaster, saying an announcement would be made at a later date. However, in the same statement, EVP of structured finance Mark Manuel said, ‘We hope it is the first of many projects we can bring to the city and province.’

The government of Alberta’s support for the production is part of a two-year pilot project that will help determine future changes to the current provincial funding model for film and television production.

Under the current funding model, the Alberta Film Development Program offers incrementally higher tax credits for projects, based on the degree to which they are owned in Alberta — offering up to 21% off all in-province costs. The program is capped at $1.5 million per project, making it less attractive for feature films and expensive series budgeted over $10 million.

The pilot project will also provide support for a second dramatic series, one with a high degree of Alberta ownership.

With files from James Careless