Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, Governor David A. Paterson and ABC Studios President Mark Pedowitz today announced that the production of the popular ABC drama 'Ugly Betty' will be moving back to New York City to take advantage of the 35% tax credits provided by the State and City.  This move marks the first time an established show has made a move to New York City and will create more than 200 new jobs.

"While there's no better backdrop than New York City for virtually any television show, a show about a young woman from Queens whose job combines publishing and fashion was made to be 'Made in New York,'" said Mayor Bloomberg. "Film and TV production contribute $5 billion per year to New York City's economy. I want to thank ABC for their growing commitment to New York City, congratulate Governor Paterson, and thank City Film Commissioner Katherine Oliver for traveling to Los Angeles to help seal the deal."

"New York City is one of the most desired filming locations in the country and we are pleased to welcome Ugly Betty into that storied history," said Governor Patterson. "With this hit show set to film in Manhattan and Queens, this will allow viewers to see more of our great city.  We welcome ABC Studio's series which joins a list of other hit television shows, including 'Law & Order,' '30 Rock,' and 'Gossip Girl' - all of which are filmed right here in New York City."

"New York is an integral part of the creative storytelling of 'Ugly Betty,'" said ABC Studios President Pedowitz. "These new tax incentives have made it possible to bring Betty Suarez back to her home town.  We appreciate the support from the state and local government and their forward thinking incentives that have helped the series' creative vision and bottom line."

Last month, Governor Paterson announced an expansion of the Empire State film product tax credit program, tripling the percentage of qualified film production costs eligible for the State credit from 10 percent to 30 percent and extending the program to 2013. New York City is the nation's only city to offer its own tax credit through the 'Made in NY' program, administered by the Mayor's Office of Film, Theater & Broadcasting (MOFTB). The State and City tax credit together offers film companies 35 percent of tax credits.

"New York City is proud to welcome ABC's 'Ugly Betty' back home," said Mayor's Office of Film, Theatre & Broadcasting Commissioner Katherine Oliver. "'Ugly Betty' is the ultimate NYC show - she lives in Queens, she works in Manhattan, and now those real locations can be featured in every episode.  Why fake it when you can get the reel deal right here?  Now that New York State has tripled its tax credit, productions can take advantage of a 35% refundable tax credit when they film in the five boroughs.  We're thrilled that 'Ugly Betty' will join our city's thriving film and television production industry, which employs 100,000 New Yorkers."

"We anticipated that the tripling of New York's incentives would lure productions to New York but even we didn't expect to see such immediate results," said Empire State Development Corporation (ESDC) Downstate President Avi Schick. "With Ugly Betty coming home to New York, we are already seeing the promotion of an industry that creates billions of dollars in economic activity in New York each year.  We expect many more productions to follow their lead and decide that New York is the best place for film and television businesses to operate."

"We are thrilled that Betty is coming home to the city where she began," said Executive Director of the Governor's Office for Motion Picture & Television Development Pat Swinney Kaufman. "Three years ago, the pilot for 'Ugly Betty' was shot in New York, but the series itself was pulled back to LA where it has been filmed for two seasons.  We are pleased that New York will again play itself in this hit series and that our talented actors and crews, many vendors and great infrastructure will be here to service this show."

The New York State Film Production Credit is administered by the New York State Governor's Office for Motion Picture and Television Development, an agency of Empire State.  For more information on eligibility, requirements check out www.nylovesfilm.com. For more information about the Mayor's Office of Film, Theatre and Broadcasting and the 'Made in NY' program, visit www.nyc.gov.

ABOUT 'UGLY BETTY' (Thursdays, 8-9PM, on the ABC Television Network)
In the superficial world of high fashion, image is everything.  Styles come and go, and the only constants are the super thin beauties who wear them.  How can an ordinary girl from Queens possibly fit in?

If you took a moment to get to know Betty Suarez, you'd see how sweet, intelligent and hard-working she is (if a bit fashion-challenged).  When publishing mogul Bradford Meade handed the reigns of Mode, the bible of the fashion industry, over to his son, Daniel, he specifically hired Betty as his son's new assistant - mostly because she was the only woman Daniel wouldn't sleep with.  Both outsiders in their own way, Daniel and Betty form an unlikely team, each helping the other navigate the choppy waters of NYC's fashion scene.

'Ugly Betty' stars Emmy-winner America Ferrera as Betty Suarez, Eric Mabius as Daniel Meade, Tony Plana as Ignacio, Ana Ortiz as Hilda, Ashley Jensen as Christina,  Becki Newton as Amanda, Mark Indelicato as Justin, Michael Urie as Marc, Judith Light as Claire Meade, Christopher Gorham as Henry, Rebecca Romijn as Alexis and Vanessa Williams as Wilhelmina Slater.  Freddy Rodriguez is a recurring guest star as Gio.

Based on 'Yo Soy Betty La Fea,' the groundbreaking Columbian telenovela that became an international phenomenon, 'Ugly Betty' is from ABC Studios. This past two seasons the series has been awarded three Emmy Awards, two GLAAD Awards, as well as Golden Globe, Peabody, DGA, NAACP, ALMA, Costume Design Guild Award and Imagen Awards. Academy Award-nominee and Emmy Award winner Salma Hayek is executive producer, along with Jose Tamez ("The Maldonado Miracle"), Silvio Horta ("Urban Legend"), and Joel Fields ("Dirt").