19386_jaypeak ROUGH SCRIPT McDonald/Seelye Run down dairy farms; old houses, closed storefronts BILL STENGER - When you see so many people unemployed, so many people on welfare, so many people who are struggling and you know that a good job and a sustained economic outlook for them is going to change everything in their life that’s bad almost and make it better - and if you know how to do that, then do it. TITLE: Green Cards for the Kingdom Dairy farms, lakefront, rolling hills; Bill Stenger at Jay Peak FOR ALL ITS PASTORAL BEAUTY, THE NORTHEAST KINGDOM OF VERMONT ROUTINELY HAS THE STATE’S HIGHEST UNEMPLOYMENT RATES. BUTLOOKING MORE A FIEFDOM FOR ONE MAN’S ECONOMIC VISION. Bill Stenger taking ski tram to mountain peak restaurant under construction BILL STENGER - There’s never been an economic development project like this in the history of the state, and there probably never will be again. Stenger standing near map of Jay Peak, talking about development projects BILL STENGER IS CEO OF THE LOCAL JAY PEAK SKI RESORT, AND HE’S ALSO A GLOBAL ENTREPRENEUR. IN THE PAST FEW YEARS, HE’S ATTRACTED HUNDREDS OF INVESTORS FROM AROUND THE WORLD TO EXPAND HIS SKI RESORT INTO A YEAR-ROUND RECREATIONAL MULTIPLEX THAT INCLUDES NEW HOTELS, CONDOS, INDOOR WATERPARK, PROFESIONAL HOCKEY ARENA, GOLF COURSE, PRIVATE AIRPORT AND DOZENS OF SKI SLOPES. People surfing and riding the water slides AND SINCE BUILDING IT, THE GUESTS HAVE STARTED TO COME, EVEN WHEN THE WEATHER IS TOO WARM FOR SKIIING. JOHN GAGNON - We came from Montreal. We wanted to try the water park and we’re staying at the condos. So we’re staying 2 days. Stenger in the ski tram STENGER - I said to my staff last year when we put in the water park that some year that’s going to be our salvation. Little did I know it would be the first winter. That water park saved us last winter. MONEY FOR THE WATERPARK AND HOST OF OTHER AMENITIES CAME THROUGH AN OBSCURE FEDERAL VISA PROGRAM CALLED EB-5. EB-5 GRANTS FOREIGN NATIONALS A CONDITIONAL GREEN CARD IN EXCHANGE FOR INVESTING HALF A MILLION DOLLARS IN A RURAL, HIGH-UNEMPLOYMENT AREA. STENGER - Yes, it’s true that the investment is getting them their green card. To say, well, they’re buying their way in to the country...they’re investing in products and programs that are having a tremendously positive impact on the community. Stenger speaking before a large meeting with Vermont and local officials THE EB-5 GREEN CARDS ARE CONTINGENT ON JOB CREATION. EACH FIVE-HUNDRED-THOUSAND-DOLLAR INVESTMENT HAS TO CREATE OR SAVE AT LEAST 10 JOBS. WHEN THE EB-5 PROGRAM WAS EXTENDED IN SEPTEMBER, STENGER PROPOSED INJECTING ANOTHER HALF A BILLION DOLLARS INTO DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS AROUND THE AREA - ALL PAID FOR BY PEOPLE WANTING TO LIVE AND WORK IN THE U.S, ALTHOUGH APPARENTLY NOT IN THE KINGDOM. STENGER - I think of it this way: I won the Powerball. I have half a billion dollars to work with. // And what I’ve had the pleasure of doing is drafting the blueprint for how that money can be invested. Stenger walking into ski lodge construction area STENGER - To be able to acquire 5 or 600 million dollars of strategic investment and put it in a rural area with no mortgage is a profound opportunity. And it’s one we can’t miss. // And the outcome will be 10,000 jobs direct, indirect and induced. THE PROPOSED PROJECTS IN THE NEARBY TOWN OF NEWPORT INCLUDE A KOREAN BIOTECH LAB, A GERMAN WINDOW FACTORY, A LAKEFRONT HOTEL, AND A REVAMPED MAIN STREET, A WHOLE BLOCK OF WHICH WILL BE LEVELED AND REBUILT. Man stringing up Christmas lights in a jewelry shop BILL MYERS (jeweler) - We’re No. 1 in unemployment. We got to get that back up so people will start buying stuff. That’s what it’s going to take. Woman working behind counter of Family Recipe diner AT LEAST ONE SHOP OWNER IS NOT HAPPY WITH THE PROSPECT. CAROL BONNEAU (diner owner) - Yeah, it’s all going to be parking garages and penthouses...and in the time that it’s going to t