We are a telecommunications firm launching 5G mobile networks and Wi-Fi services. In our plans to build infrastructures in underserved communities like the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico with future expansion plans into India, we are always seeking to raise capital. Would the EB-5 program be a fit for us? Should we work with a regional center or work with investors directly? What are the pros and cons for each option?
You need to work with a regional center because proving 10 jobs being created from one investment of $900,000 is challenging. You need to ensure that you retain a specialist team to help with this plan because its not as simple as people think. Recent denial rates have been increased to 37.5%.
You should work with an EB-5 regional center if the direct job creation as a result of your project or projects will not be enough to support the number of EB-5 investors. A direct EB-5 project must show 10 full time positions for qualifying U.S. workers were created per EB-5 investor, whereas an EB-5 regional center project can take credit for indirect or induced jobs, thereby increasing the potential number of EB-5 investors or potential amount of EB-5 capital.
EB-5 capital can work for all types of companies and lines of businesses. Regional Center versus working directly with investors largely depends on how you will be creating jobs. To properly evaluate whether EB-5 is a good fit for your company or not, you will need to select an attorney to analyze the options and educate you on that.
Depending on how much your costs may be for construction, installation and development of your network, it may make sense to work with a regional center in order to capitalize on the indirect number of jobs that will be created by your project. You could also have a direct standalone project, but then your company (or wholly owned subsidiaries) would need to be the direct employer of full-time workers for the jobs to be credited to investors. You can speak with a qualified specialist to understand the pros and cons more.
