What is the Regional Center Pilot Program?
For a Pilot Program investment, the threshold is a $500,000 capital contribution to a designated Regional Center, which allocates portions of the capital in the form of business loans to small business within the targeted area. A Regional Center is defined as any economic unit, public or private, engaged in the promotion of economic growth, improved regional productivity, job creation and increased domestic capital investment. Prior law required investment in a Regional Center to generate an increase in export sales. Presently up to 5000 immigrant visas are set aside each year for the Pilot Program. Basic requirements for Regional Center designation Applicants must show how their proposed program will: • Focus on a geographic region; • Promote economic growth through increased export sales, if applicable; • Promote improved regional productivity; • Create a minimum of 10 direct or indirect jobs per investor; • Increase domestic capital investment; • Be promoted and publicized to prospe
