City, county hope to boost Goodyear project with foreign investment
By Jim Mackinnon, Beacon Journal business writer , ohio.com
Akron and Summit County are seeking major foreign investors for the Goodyear headquarters project.
As part of that, the city and county are taking part in a federal program that dangles high-level visas, offering the potential for permanent residency, as carrots to entice that investment.
Public officials are hoping to expand the program beyond the Goodyear project.
Summit County is believed to be the first jurisdiction in Ohio that has been designated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security as a ”Regional Center” that will provide incentives to international investors, the city and county said in a news release.
Under the federal program, potential immigrants need to invest at least $500,000 in a U.S. project that creates at least 10 jobs.
The new tool is aimed at promoting job growth in Akron and elsewhere in the county while initially revolving around the Goodyear project, according to the release.
The designation will be marketed internationally as ”CMB Summit LLC Regional Center” under what is called the Immigrant Investor Pilot Program.
Industrial Realty Group, also known as IRG, the California developer behind the $900 million Goodyear headquarters project, told local public officials about the federal program, according to Summit County Executive Russ Pry.
IRG is using the same approach in redeveloping the former McClellan Air Force Base near Sacramento, Calif., now called McClellan Park. IRG and its other partners in the McClellan Park group are seeking $6 million in foreign investment.
Click link above for complete article.
Translator
By N2H
