North Bay reports record year for film industry spinoffs.

The City of North Bay said 2017 was a record year for film and television production in the city.

In a Sept. 6 news release, the company said filming days in 2017 doubled to 268 from 127 in the previous year. That translates to direct spending of $22.7 million in North Bay in 2017, compared with $8.9 million in spending the previous year.

Eleven film and television productions took place in the city in 2017, while 11 productions have already been completed in 2018.

"We are absolutely thrilled with the excitement and the vibrancy that has been created in the city as result of this industry," North Bay Mayor Al McDonald said in the release.

Productions filming in North Bay don't charge film permit fees, and the city offers the industry low traffic and commute times, a...