MMAC Sponsors Foreign Investment Economic Development Zone

The Milwaukee Region has been designated a Regional Center for the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Visa Program by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Sponsored by the MMAC, the Milwaukee Immigrant Investment Zone includes Kenosha, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Waukesha, Washington and Walworth counties.

The Immigrant Investor Visa Program offers green cards to foreign investors and their families who invest a minimum of $1 million (or $500,000 in targeted employment areas) in businesses that create at least ten full-time permanent jobs for U.S. workers.

Investor Benefits

  • Qualified investors and their families (spouse and any unmarried children under age 21) are eligible for green cards after approval of their application
  • Although investment must occur within a regional center's territory, the investor and his/her family may live and work anywhere in the United States
  • No minimum requirements as to the investor's age, business training and experience or language skills
  • Ability to travel outside of the United States and return to the United States without a visa
  • Education benefits of permanent residents, including admission to state universities at resident costs
  • Eligible to become a U.S. citizen once a permanent resident for more than five years

How to Seek Status as an Immigrant Investor 

To apply for status as an immigrant investor, you must file CIS Form I-526, Immigrant Petition by Alien Entrepreneur. The Form I-526 must be filed with supporting documentation, which clearly demonstrates that the individual investor meets all requirements, such as:

  • Establishing a new commercial enterprise by creating a new business, purchasing an existing business, expanding an existing business or by retaining all existing jobs in a troubled business
  • Investing the requisite capital amount
  • Proving the investment comes from a lawful source of funds
  • Creating full-time jobs, directly or indirectly, for at least 10 employees, or preserving existing direct jobs in a troubled business
  • Demonstrating that the investor is actively participating in the business
  • Creating employment within a targeted employment area, where applicable

For more information on the Milwaukee Immigrant Investment Zone, contact PETER BEITZEL at (414) 287.4140.

For more information about the U.S. Immigrant Investor Program, please visit the USCIS website on "Green Card Through Investment."

Recommended Banks & Attorneys

The following local banks are recommended for financing and are listed in the region's approved application from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. A major international bank may also be used.

Chase Bank
Mr. Richard Bennett
262.717.7536  •  richard.b.bennett@chase.com

The following attorneys are recommended for program petitions:

Mr. Ira Azulay
AzulaySeiden Law Group
312.832.9200, ext. 145  •  iazulay@azulayseiden.com

Mr. Thomas Gehl
Clark Hill PLC
312.985.5526  •  tgehl@clarkhill.com

Mr. Jerome Grzeca
Grzeca Law Group, S.C.
414.342.3000  •  clients@grzecalaw.com

Ms. Julie Lee (Zhu)
Foley & Lardner LLP (Counsel for Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce Regional Center, LLC, program administrator)
414.271.2400  •  zlee@foley.com

Mr. Jeffrey Mawicke
Mawicke & Goisman, S.C.
414.224.0600  •  jmawicke@dmgr.com

Mr. L. Steven Siy (emphasis in immigration law)
414.774.4700  •  lssiylaw@yahoo.com

Mr. Lincoln Stone
Stone & Grzegorek LLP
213.627.8997  •  lincoln@lskglaw.com

Ms. Heather M. Tiltmann
Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek S.C.
414.978.5302  • htiltmann@whdlaw.com

Mr. Stephen Yale-Loehr
Miller Mayer, LLP
607.273.4200, ext. 318  •  swy1@cornell.edu

The Milwaukee Regional Center is administered by the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce Regional Center, LLC, Inc. While MMAC-LLC and its affiliates (collectively, "MMACRC") generally welcome investment in the Milwaukee Regional Center area, MMACRC does not have sufficient information about the investment opportunities identified above to be able to recommend, nor does it endorse, any particular investment opportunity.

     

INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES  

Investment opportunities available in the Milwaukee Region:

FirstPathway Citizenship Fund

This fund invests in properties that qualify for EB-5 status. Each property is reviewed for its ability to generate the necessary direct and indirect jobs. Once this requirement has been established, the Fund analyzes the potential return on investment (ROI) and security of the overall project. Contact:

FirstPathway Partners
Robert Kraft, Chairman/CEO
311 E. Chicago St., Ste 510
Milwaukee, WI 53202
p: (888) 560.3688
China Office: 862161498274
e: info@rcifpp.com    

New Life Senior Wellness Center

New Life Senior Wellness Center plans to convert and construct a mid-sized assisted living facility in the Lake Geneva region to provide senior care services, including memory care, assisted living care and adult day care. The facility aims to meet strong demand for senior care and is to be managed by a local management company specializing in senior care.

New Life Senior Wellness Center
Contact: Zoe Makhsous
p: (312) 685.8515

The Professional Center

The Professional Center consists of a brand-new office building located within Milwaukee’s large, historical redevelopment district. The Professional Center will cater to young professionals and entrepreneurs in the city. The Professional Center consists of approximately 62,500 square feet of office space. Contact:

Thomas Gehl
Blue Ribbon Management
633 W. Wisconsin Ave., Suite 533
Milwaukee, WI 53202
414-630-9988


Brew House (closed with 30 investors)

Building on Milwaukee’s proud beer brewing heritage, this former brewery site in downtown Milwaukee is moving forward with redevelopment plans. The Brew House consists of two historic buildings located within the city's large, historical redevelopment district.

Geneva Ridge (closed with 40 investors)

For generations, Lake Geneva in southern Wisconsin lake country has drawn thousands of visitors from across the U.S. Midwest. From sparkling beaches to shopping, dining and entertainment, this thriving lake community is home to concerts, festivals, boutiques, galleries and boat races. This condominium hotel is enjoying its $100 million+ redevelopment, thanks in part to funds invested through the Milwaukee Regional Center.