本文发表在 rolia.net 枫下论坛Milan Township— Southeast Michigan may become home to a veritable Chinatown, a planned community of 415 upscale homes for Chinese immigrants, off U.S. 23 south of Ann Arbor.

The idea behind the proposal is to encourage Chinese investors to open businesses here and take advantage of in-state tuition at the University of Michigan, saving tens of thousands of dollars per student.

Sino Michigan Properties LLC, a U.S.-based Chinese investment firm, has purchased 220 acres in Milan and London townships — about 20 minutes south of Ann Arbor — for $1.9 million in cash, according to Milan Township officials.

While details of the project remain under wraps, three investors from the firm have met with Milan city officials to discuss extending public water and sewer lines into the townships. They also have shared a blueprint and pictures of a miniature scale version of the community, complete with Chinese and American flags flying at the entrance along Darling Road.

"Chinese developers want to build some kind of high-end residential houses," said Milan Mayor Kym Muckler.

The investors also have met with the Michigan Economic Development Corp., the state's public-private marketing group and incentive agency, to discuss the project. The company is not seeking local or state tax subsidies, the MEDC said.

The MEDC said the project is being tailored to Chinese families looking to qualify for in-state tuition at U-M.

But the massive project faces several hurdles. They include complying with federal immigration laws to gain state residency and winning over neighbors, many of whom oppose the project.

The investors have not met with officials from London or Milan townships, which would have to rezone the land from agricultural to residential.

"There's been no official approach," said Phil Heath, Milan Township supervisor. "Everything is pure rumors, speculation."

Arthur Dudley II of the Detroit-based Butzel Long law firm, who represents Sino Michigan Properties, declined to discuss the development.

The project comes as Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder tries to court Chinese investors to boost Michigan's economy and create jobs. Snyder visited China last year and met with the country's next president, Vice President Xi Jinping, in Iowa on Feb. 15.

The Chinese have directly invested $637 million in Michigan since 2003, the seventh highest amount in the nation, according to the Rhodium Group LLC, a New York firm that monitors Chinese investments.更多精彩文章及讨论，请光临枫下论坛 rolia.net