Grand Forks City Council discusses proposed corn milling plant (June 6, 2022)
GRAND FORKS, N.D. (KFGO) – North Dakota’s U-S Senators and a Florida senator have asked a U-S security agency to review the recent purchase of land in north Grand Forks by the Chinese food manufacturer, Fufeng Group.
Senators John Hoeven and Kevin Cramer joined Marco Rubio, vice-chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, in sending a letter to the Secretaries of Defense and Treasury.
The senators want a review by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U-S saying it would clarify whether the land purchase has national security implications.
The letter says, in part: “People’s Republic of China investments in the United States demand scrutiny.”
On July 5, an attorney with ties to CFIUS told the Grand Forks City Council that the agency has shown an interest in the proposed corn milling project and suggested that the city ask Fufeng to allow CFIUS to review its land transactions. Bridget Reineking said CFIUS could find that the project is not in its jurisdiction. Or, if concerns arise, a longer review may result.
Citizen concerns about the project include the parent company’s ties to China, proximity of the land to Grand Forks Air Force Base, environmental issues and annexation.
Supporters point to the economic development opportunities the project would bring to the region and the 200 jobs the plant could create.
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