North Dakota Mayor Moves To Block Chinese-Owned Corn Mill After Warning From Air Force

A North Dakota Mayor has moved to block the approval of a ChineseAfter the tragedy, he purchased a corn mill in his hometown. Air Force It could pose a threat to national security. 

Grand Forks Mayor Brandon Bochenski, a Republican and former NHL player, said with the city council’s approval, he would block the opening of the mill operated by Fufeng USA, an American subsidiary Chinese company. 

“The federal government has requested the city’s help in stopping the project as geo-political tensions have greatly increased since the initial announcement of the project,” Bochenski Make a statement. 

“The only remedies the city has to meet this directive is to refuse to connect industrial infrastructure and deny building permits. As mayor of the city of Grand Forks, I am requesting these remedies be undertaken and the project be stopped, pending City Council approval,” Bochenski continued. 

Bochenski’s announcement followed a Letter Sen. John Hoeven (R ND) and Sen. Kevin Cramer from the Air Force, who voiced their concerns about the project. The proposed site for the mill facility would be approximately 12 miles away from Grand Forks Air Force Base. 

Senators from the Republican Party had inquired whether there were security concerns about the mill. 

“[The Department’s view is unambiguous: the proposed project presents a significant threat to national security with both near- and long-term risks of significant impacts to our operation in the area,” A letter from the Air Force was read. 

Doug Burgum, North Dakota Republican Governor He voted in support of the decision to withdraw approval for the mill.

“As we said previously, our top priority is the security of our citizens and our nation,” He said this in a statement. “Given these concerns, we support the decision by the City of Grand Forks to initiate steps to stop the project with Fufeng Group and will support the city in finding another partner for a corn milling operation.”

Fufeng USA would continue to own the 370-acres it bought for the project even if approval for the project is withdrawn. 

“It goes to show you that the people still have the ability to rise up and overcome. If they’d listened to us in the beginning, it would’ve saved them a year’s worth of time and a lot of money,” Grand Forks resident Ben Grzadzielewski spoke to The Epoch Times. 

Some lawmakers have made the issue of Chinese companies and operatives buying agricultural land in the United States a major focus at the state and federal levels. Rep. Chip Roy (R.TX) Introduced Florida Republican Governor Ron DeSantis proposed legislation to ban anyone connected to the Chinese Communist Party purchasing farmland in America. Proposed A similar measure is in Florida. 

*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases