GRAND FORKS, N.D. – Efforts are underway to address annexed land owned by Fufeng after plans to build a corn milling plant appear to have fallen through.
The China-based company purchased 370 acres of land north of the city. The city is planning to cancel the project after the U.S. Air Force raised national security concerns this week over the plant’s close proximity to the Grand Forks Air Force Base.
Grand Forks Planning and Zoning Commissioner Frank Matejcek said it was the commission’s intent that, if the land wasn’t developed, that annexation would stop. However, the city council voted to override that action.
“Just for everyone’s information the wheels are starting to turn on a de-annexation process legally for that area,” Matejcek said.
U.S.-China business ties have become strained amid growing tensions between the two countries over security and trade issues.
The city council is expected to vote against future infrastructure and building permits for the $700 million dollar facility when they meet Monday night.
