Green cards for green cars?

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - GREEN CARDS FOR GREEN CARS?

That's the accusation an automotive writer is leveling at the proposed HK Motor project in Baldwin County.

Charles Child with Automotive News said the Chinese company is setting up a visa factory for rich Chinese investors.

The editorial is a no-holds barred swipe at HK Motors, and it's proposed project to build their hybrid cars at a new plant in Bay Minette. Child said Chinese investors are only interested in getting green cards not building cars. He says the suspicions began when start-up HK Motors announced they will build three million vehicles a year within eight years.

"They're going to sell more vehicles than GM? It just doesn't add up," Child said.

A PLAN CALLED EB-5

A U.S. Government plan called EB-5 makes this possible. If a foreigner invests at least $500,000 and creates at least ten jobs, they can get a green card for permanent residence in the U.S. In the article, Childs quotes HK officials as saying the project creates the prospect for thousands of these visas.

"They're very open," he said. "They don't try to hide it at all. They're trying to raise a lot of money through this Visa program."

Director of the Alabama Development Organization Wade Neal said EB-5 money is part of the package, but a lot more money has to hit the table before the state will sign off on the project.

"If you look at the program, it is designed to get investment dollars in, but there are very real restrictions," Neal told FOX10. "We've said unless they've got a billion dollars in the bank that's going to be used for this project, we're not going to even negotiate incentives."

The green card incentive itself is non-negotiable. It's a federal program that's been around for 20 years. But the state does have the power to negotiate the rest of the deal. If the state isn't careful, Child said HK motors could short change Baldwin County.

"My guess is that it will not lead to a vibrant long-term business."

YOUR THOUGHTS?

HK Motors didn't return a request for comment, but we'd sure like to know what you think. Please leave us your comments on this story.

And if you would like to read Child's article you can find it here .