Fufeng to provide additional details for federal panel

The Grand Forks council will be asked next week whether to move ahead with certain design elements associated with the proposed Fufeng project.

It follows this week’s request from the Committee on Foreign Investment for more information concerning the Chinese-based company’s plans to locate a corn milling plant on the city’s north side.  The CFIUS review will help determine if the project is a national security concern.

City Administrator Todd Feland says while certain construction items will take a pause during the study process it’s possible a number of design elements can move forward.

Feland says the company is still committed to the project.  “That’s why they determined that they would submit further details and work through the process.”

Mayor Brandon Bochenski says he views the request as a positive sign that the utmost due diligence will be completed in regards to the proposed corn milling plant.  “Under the development agreement this is a must.  They (Fufeng) must show they passed that hurdle.  If they haven’t the project is dead.”

The city expects the latest review to take 45 to 90 days to complete.