Saskatchewan’s film and TV sector has received a significant boost from its provincial government, increasing the budget for its local grant program by five times the original amount.

The government has injected $8 million into the Creative Saskatchewan Production Grant Program, bringing its annual budget from $2 million to $10 million, with applications set to re-open in April.

The grant covers 30% of eligible production costs for domestic productions and 25% for foreign-owned service productions. In the last fiscal year the grant had cap of $600,000 per project, according to the Creative Saskatchewan website. A spokesperson for Creative Saskatchewan tells Playback Daily new details about the grant cap will be released once they are finalized.

The province’s existing sound stage in Regina has also been renamed as the John Hopkins Regina Sound Stage, according to a statement from Deputy Premier and Finance Minister Donna Harpauer, in memory of the late Regina Chamber of Commerce CEO, who died in February.

The increase to the grant will generate an estimated $33.3 million in production volume, more than 600 new jobs and an economic output of $62 million, according to a release from Creative Saskatchewan. It is also expected to attract more coproductions to the region, which lost its tax credit in 2012.

“Productions are a multi-faceted endeavour, built around labour with the potential to create hundreds of new jobs, ranging from cinematographers, assistant directors, electricians, carpenters, sound engineers, composers, editors, and more,” said Erin Dean, CEO of Creative Saskatchewan, in a statement. “This goes beyond contributing to Saskatchewan’s economic recovery, it’s truly improving the livelihoods of Saskatchewan residents.”

The move has already been hailed by local industry workers, with Directors Guild of Canada (DGC) Saskatchewan chair Lowell Dean calling the boost “crucial, not only to show that Saskatchewan is open for business in the production sector, but to retain our top talent and creative minds, and rebuild our province’s industry.”

“Getting the film and television industry in Saskatchewan back on its feet will take time, but the DGC is committed to the province and ensuring Saskatchewan can be a part of meeting the robust demand we’re seeing for new content,” added DGC president Warren P. Sonoda.

Saskatchewan was home to the revered Canadian sitcom Corner Gas, which ran for six seasons between 2004 and 2009. More recent productions in the province include Agam Darshi’s Donkeyhead (pictured), produced by Karma Film and acquired by Array for U.S. distribution.