FirstPathway Weblog

Friday, March 23rd 2012- This week the China Daily published a feature article on Bob Kraft’s momentum in China. Kraft has been working to cultivate relationships and investment between China and the US, for over 10 years. The China Daily sites Kraft as “one of the most successful businessmen in attracting Chinese investment to the United States.” Kraft is Chair of the MMAC China Council and Chairman/CEO, of FirstPathway Partners, one of the largest EB5 investment immigration providers in the United States.

Kraft is honored to be featured in The China Daily, a key reference point for overseas media. The China Daily is considered one of the most authoritative newspapers in China, with the widest print circulation of any English-language newspaper. The newspaper has an average daily circulation of more than 400,000 in 150 countries and regions.

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FirstPathway Partners (FPP) was proud to sponsor the 2012 Invest in America Summit in
Shanghai, China. The second annual event, organized by Wailian Overseas Consulting
Group, brought together thousands of EB5 industry leaders, clients, and
agencies. FPP representatives were excited to meet with industry stakeholders
and continue to be committed to the China market.

At the conference, FPP Chairman and CEO, Bob Kraft led discussions and gave lectures advising
clients and agents on investing in the United States and EB5 best practices.
Bob was honored to pop the ceremonial champagne at Saturday night’s banquet.
Also representing FPP were Director of China Operations Dan Redford, and China
Communications Manager Wenbo Yang.

Many thanks to Wailian Group for another successful event!  We look forward to
next year!

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Partner Richard Zagorski and COO Dan Wycklendt of FirstPathway Partners traveled to the Middle East this February to meet with immigration partners, train partner staff and present at seminars throughout the region. Wycklent and Zagorski made stops in India, Bahrain, Turkey, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and the UAE.

To learn more about current offerings and seminar’s near you contact us at info@firstpathway.com.

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This week Milwaukee’s Aloft Hotel was announced number 8 on TripAdvisor’s Travelers choice 2012, Top 25 Trendiest Hotels in the United States. The Aloft ranked above hotels like the Hilton New York Fashion District hotel (15) and the W Hotel in San Francisco (24).

The five-story, 160-room, Aloft Hotel Milwaukee is a FirstPathway Partners project which opened in 2009. It is one of 43 Aloft hotels in the United States. The Aloft (Milwaukee), a brand of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is located downtown at 1230 N. Old World Third St., in the Park East corridor. It is the first Aloft location in southeastern Wisconsin and features 5,000 square feet of meeting space, a fitness center, an indoor pool overlooking the riverwalk, laptop stations,  pool table and the Wxyz Bar in the lobby/lounge area. Nearby attractions include- the Milwaukee River, The Bradley Center (home of the Milwaukee Bucks) and trendy local bars/restaurants.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/TravelersChoice-Hotels-cTrendy

Friday January 20,2012 – United States Senator Ron Johnson visited FirstPathway Partners today to express his appreciation for the significant economic and job creation impact FirstPathway Partners has had on Southeast Wisconsin under the Federal EB5 Regional Center Program. FirstPathway Partners was honored to host the senator and hear his insights. 

Senator Johnson is a United States Senator of the 112th Congress representing the state of Wisconsin, and a member of the Republican Party.  Prior to his election to the Senate, he was chief executive officer of PACUR, LLC, a Wisconsin polyester and plastics manufacturer.

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Monday, November  28,  2011 – FirstPathway Partners was on site to celebrate the construction kick-off of its most recent project, a world class 201-room, 4-star, full-service, Marriott Hotel.  Armed with sledgehammers, Mayor Tom Barrett and FirstPathway Partners Chairman and CEO Bob Kraft were in attendance alongside representatives from Jackson Street Management, Marriott and White Lodging to bring down the first wall on the site that will later be transformed into the new Marriott.

This catalytic project funded in part by the FirstPathway EB5 program will create jobs, enhance the neighborhood and help many deserving family’s make their American dream come true.

The project is scheduled for completion in 2013. It will be the first full-service hotel built downtown in more than 20 years. The project will be located in the heart of the downtown central business district of Milwaukee, WI, USA on the southwest corner of East Wisconsin Avenue and North Milwaukee Street, surrounding the Johnson Bank building.

The iconic $54 Million dollar, 10-story, 197,000 square foot hotel will feature a luxurious high-end restaurant, lobby bar, Starbucks, a jeweler, 15,000 square feet of meeting/banquet space, and 60 underground parking stalls.  Hotel amenities will include a fully equipped fitness center, a swimming pool, business center, concierge service, and gift shop.

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Last month, FirstPathwayPartners COO, Daniel Wycklendt traveled to China on a mufti city tour to educate investors though our latest EB5 seminar series.  This trip marked the 8^th visit by a top ranking company executive this year.  Wycklendt would like to wish a warm thank you to all the gracious investors and agents who hosted him throughout his trip.

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On Wednesday September 28th 2011, Alejandro Mayorkas, Director of USCIS addressed the U.S. Chamber of Commerce on the importance of immigrants in American competitiveness, growth and prosperity. Throughout his address, Director Mayorkas commented on upcoming policy changes to the EB5 program aimed at streamline the process and delivering meaningful case information on a real time basis.

“We have made significant changes in the way we adjudicate cases in the immigrant investor or EB-5 program, a program that is designed to create American jobs.  We have retained business analysts to support our adjudicators, and received more than 75 applications for additional economists.  We will be hiring corporate expertise, issuing new policy guidance in the next few weeks. And currently we have outstanding a targeted request for proposal to re-engineer our business process from beginning to end. “-Alejandro Mayorkas, Director of USCIS

The policy changes advocated by Director Mayorkas seek to advance those already seeking to access to benefits for which they are eligible, keep pace with the dynamism of modern business and simplify job creation for American citizens.

In one of the strongest indications of the day, The U.S. Chamber of Commerce signaled their willingness to advance the EB5 program, publicizing the movement.

Bob Kraft, Chairman and CEO of  FirstPathway Partners traveled to Seoul, South Korea to meet with FPP attorneys and agents. Kraft promoted current projects and updated agents on the current status of past projects.  Agents continue to be confident in FPP’s results and future prospects.

During the trip Kraft also made a brief stop in China to meet with top FPP executives.

Tuesday, May 10, 2011- Bob Kraft Chairman and CEO of FirstPathway Partners was chosen to moderate two sessions at the 47^th annual Wisconsin International Trade Conference.

During the sessions, Kraft commended the efforts of Milwaukee Mayor, Tom Barrett in expanding international trade, particularly with China. In his speech, the mayor encouraged efforts to further increase international trade and investment in our community, citing his support for EB5. The mayor expressed excitement for such projects as the Marriott which is seeking EB5 financing through FirstPathway Partners.  Mayor Barrett has also dubbed the summer of 2011 “The Summer of China,” featuring the US Table Tennis Open and The Milwaukee Art Museum’s, The Emperor’s Private Paradise: Treasures from the Forbidden City.  Several Chinese delegations are scheduled to visit Milwaukee throughout the summer.

In conjunction with the Wisconsin International Trade Conference,  FirstPathway Partners also attended the Wisconsin Export Awards luncheon where Wisconsin Governor, Scott Walker addressed International business leaders. The Governor’s key message to investors and entrepreneurs was that Wisconsin is open for business. Wisconsin has added 24,000 jobs in the past 3 months, leading the country in new job creation. FirstPathway Partners is committed to driving job creation in Target Employment Areas across Wisconsin.

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