Latest news with #JillJones
Forbes
07-08-2025
- Business
- Forbes
"EB-5 Vs. The Proposed Gold Card Visa: 5 Key Differences For Investors
Authored by Jill Jones, General Counsel of Institutional Client Services USA for JTC Group . Since it was first announced, there has been plenty of discussion surrounding the suggested 'gold card' visa that would offer foreign nationals the chance to potentially buy U.S. residency for $5 million. The EB-5 program provides a path toward permanent residency to foreign nationals who invest in job-creating projects in the U.S. Under the EB-5 investor visa program, per U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), foreign investors can obtain U.S. permanent residency by investing $1.05 million, or $800,000 for projects qualifying for a set-aside category, in real estate developments that create jobs for U.S. taxpayers. Since the announcement of the gold card, there have been many discussions about what impact, if any, such a program would have on the current EB-5 program. To help sift through the confusion, here are some key differences between the proposed gold card and the EB-5 program, as well as what those differences could mean for potential applicants, American workers and the country as a whole. Regardless of the level of press it has generated, it's important to remember that the gold card visa is, at this point, only a concept. There has been no formal legislation proposed or Congressional action taken, and few details have emerged as to how the program would operate. Any new law creating the visa program would need to be passed by Congress before it could be enacted by the president. And a program that would offer different tax treatment for its participants than for any other person in the U.S. would need to be approved by the IRS, according to CNBC. In contrast, EB-5 has already existed for 35 years. Any changes to the program, including termination, require congressional action, and no such proposals have been introduced at the time of this writing. EB-5 investors filing before September 30, 2026, are grandfathered in under the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022. EB-5 offers a well-established, clearly defined path that is available to foreign nationals today. The gold card idea is not without precedent. Other countries have 'golden visa' programs that allow those who either make a monetary donation or an investment in real estate to receive residency, and in some situations, citizenship. It is unclear how the American gold card will involve a path to citizenship, but the popularity of citizenship-by-investment programs in other countries can give us some idea of how the program might work in comparison. A common misconception about the EB-5 program is that applicants are simply 'buying' green cards. In reality, investing in EB-5 does not guarantee immigration approval. Applicants invest 'at-risk' funds in projects that must create at least 10 jobs per investor, as required by USCIS. Based on what we know so far, the gold card is expected to be offered with a $5 million price tag, but the White House hasn't said whether that would cover a family or only an individual visa, the aforementioned CNBC article explained. If the latter, for a family of four, that means they may need to provide a $20 million donation with no chance of a return. There is a limited number of foreign investors who could afford this. Additionally, many of these wealthy individuals already live in the U.S. While there is value in attracting these ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs) to the U.S., the pool of potential gold card applicants may not be as large as anticipated. Conversely, EB-5 applicants have the potential to secure a conditional green card for themselves and their eligible family members. EB-5 applicants often expect a return on their investment, which can make it a more accessible option for more investors. While some EB-5 investors are UHNWIs, in my firm's experience, most are families using savings or pooled funds to create better opportunities for their children through education and career advancement in the U.S. Early speculation indicates that all payments for gold card visas will be used to pay down the national debt. While there is value in this, EB-5 investments serve a different purpose. Capital raised through EB-5 offerings is used to provide financing for development and job creation in underserved areas that need the support. As mentioned above, each EB-5 investment must create at least 10 full-time jobs. I've seen these investments support projects in affordable housing, agriculture, healthcare and senior living, often in rural or underserved urban areas where traditional financing is limited. In many cases, EB-5 funding is a catalyst that helps move development forward, bringing capital to communities that benefit from job creation and economic growth. And, 96% of EB-5 funding comes from filing fees, so it requires little in congressional appropriations. While the programs differ, both offer meaningful economic value and can complement each other within the U.S. immigration system. EB-5 has a strong track record, with application volumes hitting record levels in recent years. Demand has been so high that visa backlogs for certain countries stretch years beyond petition approval dates. As long as the program continues, it will attract investors whose capital drives job creation nationwide. The gold card's operation and timeline are unclear. For foreign investors pursuing green cards through EB-5, there's no reason to delay. The program has a long track record of success, and with no future reauthorization guaranteed, certainty may run out. For investors weighing both options, ensure you stay up to date on how regulations may change, especially as the proposed U.S. Gold Card program has not yet been implemented and remains uncertain. In my view, EB-5 and the gold card are not mutually exclusive and could operate side by side. EB-5 is a long-standing, well-regulated program that helps foreign nationals invest in the U.S. while supporting job creation and local economies. The gold card may one day help reduce the national debt and attract new wealth. I believe both programs, if properly run, can benefit the U.S. economy and its people. Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders. Do I qualify?
Yahoo
22-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
One of America's Oldest Cheesemakers Could Be Yours—for $2.5 Million
Crowley Cheese, based in Vermont, has been around for more than 200 years, and the property of Galen Jones and his wife Jill Jones for the past 16. The business is considered Vermont's oldest active cheese factory and one of the oldest in the country. Galen and Jill Jones announced that Crowley was up for sale earlier this month, with an asking price of $2.5 of America's oldest small businesses is up for sale. It could be yours—if you have enough cheddar. Crowley Cheese, based in Healdville, Vt., has been around for more than 200 years, and the property of Galen Jones and his wife Jill Jones for the past 16. Now the company is on the block, with Galen, who is 68, ready to step away from the business of churning out handcrafted artisanal American cheese. "I'm an old man, and I'm ready to retire," he said. The asking price, $2.5 million, would get a buyer the factory, about 16 acres of surrounding land, cheesemaking equipment, the brand, and some 50,000 pounds of aged cheese. The business, which employs five people, is 'growing and profitable,' according to Galen Jones. A buyer would also get the recipe for Crowley's cheese, described as having yogurt-like qualities that distinguish it from other cheddars. It sells in blocks and wheels; an 8-ounce block starts at $10, while a 2.5 pound wheels starts at $50. The Crowley facility, which is considered Vermont's oldest active cheese factory and one of the oldest in the country, produces 30,000 to 40,000 pounds of aged cheddar cheese annually using a recipe that hasn't changed since 1824. Its cheese is shipped nationwide from Healdville, about a 150-mile drive northwest of Boston. The Joneses bought Crowley Cheese in 2009. Galen Jones knew people who were part of the previous investor group, he said, and happened to cross paths with the lead investor while working in digital media. (He declined to disclose the purchase price.) Reminded of the business, he looked it up online. 'We had a pretty terrible economy in 2009, and Crowley Cheese was also struggling,' Jones said. Unable to stop thinking about it, he reached out to the owners and soon visited the factory. 'Six weeks after that, my wife and I were operating this singular business, which was a simple factory in the middle of the countryside,' he said. 'It was serendipity, if you will.' The 'factory," a two-story historic farmhouse built in 1882 where cheese is handmade using raw milk with no additives or preservatives, includes a store and is open to visitors. The Joneses renovated the property and worked to improve production processes. Jones said he's received plenty of inquiries about the business since announcing its availability earlier this month. 'Some people are interested in the idea but not well equipped to take on the business,' he said. 'With others, there's serious interest.' The ideal buyer, he said, would be someone who could take "what we've been doing for the last 16 years to the next level,' he said. 'Cheesemaking is not for everyone. From my point of view, it's very important we find ownership that can successfully take the business forward.' Read the original article on Investopedia Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
America's Oldest Cheesemaker Seeks New Stewardship
HEALDVILLE, Vt., June 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Crowley Cheese, America's oldest continuously operating cheesemaker, is seeking new ownership. A true heritage brand, Crowley traces its cheesemaking roots in Healdville, Vermont to the late 1700s, with commercial production beginning in 1824. Since then, it has operated just a few hundred feet from its original site—first in the Crowley family's farmhouse kitchen, and since 1882, in its now-iconic cheese factory. Today, the Crowley Cheese Factory stands as the oldest remaining cheese factory in the United States and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A beloved Vermont destination, it draws visitors year-round to witness traditional cheesemaking firsthand, tour the preserved factory, and sample its celebrated cheeses. True to its origins, Crowley still produces its signature handcrafted raw milk cheddar using the same time-honored recipe that has earned acclaim around the world. For much of the 20th century, the local post office operated out of the Crowley Farm due to the sheer volume of cheese shipments leaving for global destinations. Today, Crowley continues to ship nationwide and can be found in select retailers across Vermont and the Northeast. While the recipe has remained unchanged, Crowley's product line has expanded with six different aging levels and a dozen flavored varieties. In addition to its classic Holstein-based cheddar, Crowley now also produces cheese using A2 Jersey cow milk. Since 2009, Galen and Jill Jones have lovingly owned and operated Crowley Cheese. Now preparing for retirement, they are seeking the next passionate steward to carry the legacy forward. "It's been a privilege to be part of this incredible tradition," says Galen Jones. "Preserving the integrity of Crowley's recipe and the authenticity of its historic factory has always guided our work. But it's time for fresh leadership to shepherd Crowley into its third century. With so much potential for growth, we believe the best chapters are still ahead." Interested parties are encouraged to contact the owners directly to learn more about this rare opportunity to steward a living piece of American food history. For additional information on Crowley Cheese visit View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Crowley Cheese Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
The Independent
06-03-2025
- Health
- The Independent
First NHS patients ‘in a generation' get plasma from UK donors
NHS patients have received life-saving treatments from plasma given by UK donors for the 'first time in a generation' after a long-standing ban was lifted. Officials hailed the 'landmark moment', which will reduce the UK's reliance on imported products. Plasma is the liquid part of blood which carries nutrients, hormones and proteins around the body, as well as carrying waste products from cells. Donations, which come from blood donations, are used to create plasma-derived medicines to treat conditions such as immune deficiencies, bleeding disorders and severe burns. These treatments are thought to save the lives of about 17,000 NHS patients every year. The UK banned the use of domestically collected plasma for fractionation – the process of separating plasma into individual components – in 1998. It followed concerns over a potentially increased risk of recipients getting Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (vCJD). This was due to UK plasma donors being exposed to bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) – sometimes known as mad cow disease – a fatal brain disease caused by prions. The UK relied solely on plasma imports until the ban was lifted in February 2021. Since then, NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) has collected 250,000 litres of plasma from donors in England. Sir Stephen Powis, national medical director NHS England, said: 'This landmark moment ensures patients relying on crucial plasma-derived medicines will always have access to the treatment they need. 'Thanks to NHS efforts, new plasma-derived products, owned from start to finish by the UK, will reduce our reliance on imported stock and boost the fortitude of hospital supplies. 'Thousands of people with serious and potentially life-threatening conditions, including immunodeficiencies and neurological conditions rely on these products, and strengthening the supply chain of plasma-derived treatments through UK donations will help NHS clinicians ensure these vital medicines are available for all who need them.' Two types of medicine are being made; immunoglobulins, which help treat autoimmune conditions; and albumin, which is used in surgery to treat burns and liver conditions. The first patient to be given UK-sourced plasma was Jill Jones, who received the medicine at John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford. She was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a type of blood cancer, 20 years ago and receives treatment every three weeks. 'Transfusions have been life-changing for me in keeping me well,' Ms Jones said. 'Before I started on them, I was regularly in hospital with infections – which just doesn't happen now. It's made a huge and positive difference to my life and my family's life. 'I felt really privileged today to be the first patient in the UK to be receiving immunoglobin that was made from UK plasma for the first time in a very long time.' Dr Jo Farrar, chief executive of NHSBT, added: 'Thanks to the incredible generosity of our donors, NHS patients are now receiving life-saving medicines made from UK plasma for the first time in a generation.' The NHS said it is on track to provide 25% of its immunoglobulin needs by the end of the year, with plans to increase this to 30-35% by 2031, and 80% of albumin by 2026. Health minister Baroness Gillian Merron said: 'This is a significant milestone for the NHS as we take a step toward UK self-sufficiency in these vital medicines. 'As part of our Plan for Change, we are improving access to life-saving treatments for thousands of NHS patients and strengthening healthcare security. 'By sourcing our own medicine, we are building a more resilient and domestic medical supply chain and boosting economic growth.'
