NATCHEZ — Mississippi’s laws regulating rebates paid to film production companies is hurting the state’s ability to attract more film productions, an executive film producer told Natchez-Adams Economic Development Council members Monday.

John Norris, executive producer of films including 2014’s “Get On Up,” which was filmed in Natchez, is in Natchez this week shooting additional scenes for the forthcoming Blumhouse horror-thriller, “Ma,” which had principal filming in Natchez earlier this year.

Norris spoke to Natchez Mayor Darryl Grennell’s economic development council members Monday and shared the pros and cons of filming in Mississippi.

Norris said Natchez has something unique in the people and locations it offers.

The major drawback, he said, is the state’s non-residence clause.

Mississippi offers rebates for purchases and some salaries, Norris said, but does not allow rebates for salaries paid to out-of-state residents.

Norris said the area’s lack of film industry workers creates a need to bring in crews from out of state, which drives up the cost of production.

In an effort to keep costs down, Norris said he has been meeting with state lawmakers to encourage removing the non-residence clause, which he said is only used by Mississippi. Norris said it’s a non-partisan issue with great economic impact.

Norris said the non-residence clause could be a deal-breaker for movie producers who are looking to maximize their potential for profit.

“They look at us sideways in Hollywood and say, ‘Where do you want to shoot? Why do you want to shoot there?’” Norris said.

Salaries paid to out-of-state employees, Norris said, might see a portion of the income leave the state, but during one production he marked $50 bills to track how much money was being spent locally during production.

Norris said approximately half of the $25 million spent when he filmed “The Help” in Greenwood went back into the local economy through gratuities, donations and dining.

Also, Norris said he is working to keep money in the state by developing a film school at Alcorn State University, and he already has big sponsors for the project.

“Our model is for non-residents to come and be trained,” Norris said. “Bringing in people builds the business and the economy. In Mississippi, it impacted a lot of people who would have to go elsewhere for work.”

Norris said his goal is to shoot two or more films in the Natchez area per year and Blumhouse production company films dozens of movies per year with budgets of approximately $5 million each.

Filmmakers, Norris said, understand that some of the movies might only break even, but two or three of them will be hits such as the Blumhouse production “Get Out.”

“It’s big business, and there is no reason Natchez can’t be a big part of it,” Norris said. “We want to tell stories that have a certain look and feel to it.”