web analytics
ABOUT US
Mixed-Use Redevelopment Entitlement and Permits

The EB-5 Program is Reauthorized

President Biden signed legislation today with the effect that the EB-5 program is reauthorized, in particular its Regional Center component, effective now through September 30, 2027.  The program is part of the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022 (the “Act”), which itself is part of the Omnibus spending bill signed by the President.

 

The reauthorization of the Regional Center program follows an almost 9 month lapse, when prior efforts failed to extend the program beyond July 1, 2021.  The Regional Centers aspect of EB-5 have allowed foreign investors a special opportunity to invest in high-profile developments that they likely would not otherwise find accessible.  The EB-5 program had its controversies and numerous parties had worked to place safeguards to prevent fraud and encourage investment in areas that followed from the original intent of the program.

 

The EB-5 program allows foreign investors to invest a specified amount of capital into a U.S. enterprise that creates American jobs, in return for permanent residency.  With passage of the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022, changes were made to the program to presumably improve its implementation.  The new legislation emphasizes compliance with EB-5’s intent along with enforcement procedures.   Program sponsors under EB-5 will face greater scrutiny in recordkeeping, investment types, audits, and investor communications.   The minimum EB-5 investment amount now increases to $800,000 from the current $500,000 for Targeted Employment Areas and Rural Areas,  and, changes to $1.05 million from the current $1.0 million for Non-Targeted Employment Areas.  These changed minimum investments apply to both regional center and direct EB-5 investments.

 

With the news that the EB-5 Program is reauthorized, a backload of foreign investors who were in the midst of processing last June, will hopefully soon see progress in the processing of their investment / visa applications.

 

The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Visa Program was created in 1990 by the Immigration Act of 1990.

GoBOLD Adventures

New Adventure Recreation Company Launches

Sustainable Environment Associates (SEAS) and Adventure Entertainment Cos. have launched GoBOLD Adventures™, an adventure recreation design-builder, and operator.   As the new adventure recreation company launches, GoBOLD is focused on new locations in several formats, from all-new destination facilities to augmentation of quality existing venues.

 

The convergence of these companies provides the comprehensive expertise in developing and operating adventure destinations. GoBOLD Adventures is comprised of international experts in multiple disciplines specializing in creating unique “bucket list” destinations.   GoBOLD’s projects range from scenic natural destinations in the U.S., to national and regional parks, remote island resorts, and jungle or desert glamping.

 

The two companies each brings an extensive capability in outdoor recreation and facility operations.   SEAS is associated with Pangaeon, through the leadership of international adventure recreation specialist, Paul Bierman-Lytle.   The Adventure Entertainment Cos. LLC are an owned affiliate of StoneCreek Partners LLC.  GoBOLD Adventures (GoBOLD Adventures.com) brings the development and facility management experiences of the two companies  within one operating organization.

 

The GoBOLD Adventures website includes information about the company’s locations and career opportunities.   As the new adventure recreation company launches, the company’s senior management intends a focus on expansion of the senior management and local rep teams for select global regions.

 

 

REI's New Product Impact Standards

REI’s New Product Impact Standards

REI’s new Product Impact Standards for 2021, now include diversity, equity, and inclusion requirements for companies wanting REI shelf space.   The standards include the retailer’s core requirements as well as optional preferred attributes.   REI is an American retail and outdoor recreation services corporation, organized as a consumers’ co-operative.  The retailer sells sporting goods, camping gear, travel equipment, and clothing, as well as outdoor-oriented experiences, recreation activities, and courses.

 

Back in 2018, REI had originally devised its product standards to focus on ethical production practices and sustainability.  As part of this update, REI has also added two new programs to its list of preferred attributes—a collection of voluntary business certifications that vendor brands are encouraged to pursue, such as for certifications for aspects of climate and environmental stewardship, chemicals management, and animal welfare.

 

REI’s product impact standards are part of the emerging interest among global investors to evaluate environmental, social and governance issues (so called ESG Investing) when investing and operating.   REI’s dedication to sustainable and ethical production, diversity, equity, and inclusion are precisely what ESG Investing seeks to encourage.

 

According to an article by SNEWS, the outdoor recreation retailer consulted with brands of various sizes and product categories, as well as with more than a dozen DEI nonprofits, advocates, and ambassadors.   The advice from such third-parties included feasibility considerations.  SNEW is an outdoor industry publication of Pocket Outdoor Media Inc.

 

The full December 9, 2020 article by SNEWS is available at this link, along with with reference to the full document describing these REI standards:  REI holds vendors accountable for climate and DEI practices with new product standards

Rep. Haaland Nominated to Lead Interior Dept.

Rep. Haaland Nominated for Interior Department

Rep. Haaland is nominated to lead the Interior Department.   With Senate confirmation, Rep. Haaland will become the first Native American to serve as Cabinet secretary.

 

President-elect Joe Biden nominated Rep. Debra Haaland to helm the U.S. Department of the Interior, a federal agency forever linked with the history of Native Americans since the nation’s founding.   The Albuquerque Journal has reported that Haaland’s nomination reflects Biden’s commitment to address the historical mistreatment of Native Americans including violations of treaty obligations.

 

The Interior Department administers roughly 500 million acres of public lands and plays a key policy role on tribal issues.   In her role, Rep. Debra Haaland’s Interior Department will oversee two key tribal offices – the Bureau of Indian Affairs (“BIA”) and the Bureau of Indian Education.  The U.S. Interior Department was first established in 1849, actually established after the BIA was first established in 1824 – the oldest agency within the Department of the Interior.

 

Rep. Haaland is a Laguna Pueblo member and is well-known for her leadership roles in tribal government, administration, and economic development programs and enterprises.  Laguna Pueblo is a federally-recognized tribe of Native American Pueblo people situated to the west of metro Albuquerque, New Mexico.   The Laguna Pueblo tribal reservation includes approximately 500,000 acres of land situated in Cibola, Valencia, Bernalillo and Sandoval counties.

 

A full article regarding U.S. Rep. Haaland being nominated to lead the Interior Department, is available at the Albuquerque Journal:  Haaland gets historic Cabinet nomination

 

 

Rep. Haaland is Nominated to Lead the Interior Department

The U.S. Interior Department administers roughly 500 million acres of public lands, involving a myriad of environmental, energy, and public access issues and concerns.

Economic Development Consultants for Tribes

Economic Development Consultants for Tribes

Our work as economic development consultants for tribes and other indigenous nations has expanded with additional services and new regions covered.

 

StoneCreek Partners’ client work with Native American tribes and pueblos, as well as Native Hawaiians, now includes Canadian First Nation tribes and organizations.   Over the years, StoneCreek Partners has also worked with indigenous nations in addition to those in North America, including those sovereign nations in the MENA region and the Pacific Rim.

 

The Covid-19 pandemic of 2020 has increased the interest in economic development plans that can reliably produce economic results – increased jobs, new investment, and enhanced quality of life.   And sooner than later.   Our economic sector analytics have an increasingly granular focus on real estate investment asset classes.    This is due to some types of investment now being in question, and relatively new asset classes commanding investor attention.

 

Our consulting focus is on projects that can be made to happen, and less on broad programmatic objectives.

 

Another focus is on the feasibility of specific projects.   As we act as economic development consultants for tribes we explore how development might occur in a particular region, focusing more on projects that can be made to happen, and less on broad programmatic objectives.   With specific projects identified, strategic partners can be identified and pursued.

 

Today’s economic development strategies can include all manner of visitor destination strategies, location-based entertainment, sports mega-complexes, life sciences projects, and other development can prosper within specific locations and markets.  Our experience with design management, development, facilities management, and with overall dealmaking and transactions allows us to take economic strategies through implementation.

 

What is a charrette? Charrettes explainedStoneCreek Partners is a business planning and development firm, with expertise that includes commercial real estate, hospitality, location-based entertainment, and direct-to-consumer technologies. StoneCreek Partners has provided economic development planning and program implementation support to Native American tribes and their sovereign development companies, as well as to similar city, county, and state organizations.

 

Our firm’s essential value to clients is our hands-on experience in designing, developing, and operating projects and businesses. StoneCreek Partners is led by co-founder Donald Bredberg and his substantial experience as an executive with The Irvine Company, NBCUniversal, and the Riyadh-based family office of Newfield Enterprises International.

 

The firm was first established in 1984 in Los Angeles, and is now headquartered in Nevada.  Our economic development consulting for tribal nations and other indigenous nations got started shortly after the firm’s founding.

 

Additional information about our economic development consulting practice is available at this link:

 

StoneCreek Partners – Economic Development Consultants

Contact us for more information, we'll enjoy hearing from you.