Mayor Brandon Bochenski of Grand Forks, North Dakota said he will stop the development of a Chinese-owned corn mill after U.S. Air Force declared it a national security risk.
Grand Forks, ND, Mayor Brandon Bochenski calls out the proposed placement of a Chinese mill near the base following the Chinese spy balloon outrage on 'The Story.'pledged Monday to work with the federal government to"shut down" the development of a Chinese-owned corn mill in his city after it was declared a national security risk by the U.S. Air Force.
Brandon Bochenski, who originally supported the proposal citing the prospect of new jobs and added tax revenue, reversed course last week after a letter was released from an Air Force official declaring thebecause of its proximity to the Grand Forks Air Force Base 12 miles away. Bochenski told Fox News that the debate began nearly two years ago when he received an official RFP [request for proposal] from North Dakota's Department of Commerce. Grand Forks competed with 25 different cities for the project and ultimately won the bid. Bochenski initially supported the project, estimating it would bring in at least 200 jobs and millions in tax revenue. It wasn't until later in the process that he learned the company behind it was Chinese-owned, he said.
Local officials and federal authorities have warned that Fufeng has deep ties to the ruling Chinese Communist Party. "We go through a long process, 25 different cities are involved. Grand Forks ends up winning the project, finding out the company is Chinese and locally trying to sort that out," he said Monday on"The Story.""[We] Went to the FBI, North Dakota trade office, we went to the Air Force.
"It took a long time to get a firm answer," Bochenski continued."When we did get that firm answer, we moved quickly and concisely, and we’re working to shut the project down."
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