The federal EB-5 foreign investment program brought in more than $1.25 billion in capital for U.S. businesses in 2011; conference to cover how businesses can raise capital through EB-5 with the goal of boosting local economies
PORTLAND, Oregon—March 5, 2012—Experts will address “Unlocking Foreign Capital through the Federal EB-5 Program” at a Friday, March 30, 2012, conference in Portland, the EB-5 Institute announced today. In 2011 alone, American enterprises raised an estimated $1.25 billion in EB-5 foreign investment to create or save more than 55,600 U.S. jobs. Given the current condition of the credit market, EB-5 may be the answer for businesses without traditional capital options.
“This promises to be a great primer on the EB-5 program for those who are looking for capital for employment-based real estate projects and established businesses,” said Peter Englander, central city manager with the Portland Development Commission. “The City of Portland has worked with all interested EB-5 Regional Centers to align the City’s interests to attract new investment into Portland.”
Also known as the Immigrant Investor Program, EB-5 was created by Congress in 1990 to stimulate the U.S. economy through job creation and capital investment. Immigrant investors create a new commercial enterprise or invest in a troubled business, and high net worth overseas investors get an available and expedient green card option.
The conference will provide clear and practical information for:
Developers and business owners interested in EB-5 capital
Attorneys specializing in immigration and business
Current and prospective EB-5 Regional Centers (more than 95 percent of EB-5 investment is conducted through federally approved Regional Centers)
“We’ve seen a growing interest in EB-5 as an available and expedient source of capital – especially as early signs point to EB-5 investment surpassing $2 billion in 2012,” said Joseph C. McCarthy, co-founder of the EB-5 Institute. “Now we want to help cities, regions and businesses jumpstart development and boost local economies by shedding light on the process.”
Designed to prepare attendees to take advantage of EB-5, conference topics include preparing your business for EB-5 investment, developing an EB-5-compliant business plan, legal entities involved in EB-5 transactions, the importance of an EB-5 Regional Center designation and what individual investors must submit to invest in a business (I-526 Visa Petition), as well as new advanced topics including using EB-5 to repay interim financing.
The conference’s keynote will be provided by McCarthy, an Oregon native and proprietor of the American Dream Fund, Portland Regional Center. McCarthy is an immigration attorney who has represented more than 30 Regional Centers and dozens of projects. He serves as legislative committee chair with Invest in USA, a national trade association of EB-5 Regional Centers.
Featured presenters include economist and EB-5 Institute co-founder Kevin Wright, who is considered one of the nation’s foremost experts on EB-5, and attorneys Michael Homeier and Jor Law, who have counseled corporations and Regional Centers on raising EB-5 capital, resulting in transactions with an aggregate deal value of more than $500 million in the last year alone.
Registration for the March 30, 2012, conference at the Governor Hotel in Portland, Oregon, is available at www.EB5Institute.com . Fees for the full-day event start at $550. Space is limited and organizers expect the conference to sell out.
Artisan Business Group will host a second workshop focused on marketing EB-5 projects overseas on Saturday, March 31, 2012, at the Governor Hotel. Information about the second workshop is available at the website.
About the EB-5 Institute
The EB-5 Institute is the first organization dedicated exclusively to providing clear, practical and useful information about EB-5 through expert-led conferences held in locations across the U.S. Hundreds of people – including developers and business owners interested in EB-5 capital, attorneys specializing in immigration and business, and EB-5 Regional Centers – have attended conferences led by a team of nationally recognized EB-5 experts. Learn more at www.EB5Institute.com .