Mayor Bloomberg discusses the "Made in NY" Discount card, part of the incentive program which has made it more affordable for productions to shoot in New York City. Courtesy of Getty Images.

August 4, 2005 - On August 3, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg hosted a barbeque at Gracie Mansion in honor of New York City's entertainment industry. The City's production industry employs 100,000 New Yorkers, supports 4,000 local businesses, and contributes $5 billion to our local economy on an annual basis. The event, attended by more than 1,000 members of the industry, featured "Made in NY" hamburgers and cookies, performances by Music Under New York and ices from Uncle Louie G.

At the barbeque, Mayor Bloomberg taped a segment with actress Susan Lucci for All My Children. All My Children has been shooting in New York City for more than 35 years. During the segment, the Mayor was interviewed by Lucci's character, Erica Kane, on her character's new talk show, entitled "New Beginnings." She praised the Mayor during the taping for his support of the City's entertainment industry through the "Made in NY" incentive program, and expressed her character's delight at having moved to the Big Apple from Pine Valley. The episode will air on September 14 at 1:00 pm on the ABC television network.

Thanks to the "Made in NY" incentive program, the City has seen over $330 million worth of new production business since this January. The incentive program includes the City's first tax credits for the entertainment industry, makes New York the only city in the world to support its productions with free advertising, and offers productions shooting in New York discounts at more than 250 vendors across the City with the "Made in NY" discount card. The new business will create jobs for more than 6,000 New Yorkers. Click here for more information.

Guests at the barbeque were treated to "Made in NY" hamburgers. Courtesy of Getty Images.

"Made in NY" cookies at the barbeque.

Hope & Faith stars Ted McGinley and Paulie Litt at the barbeque. Courtesy of Getty Images.