Jay Peak and the Immigrant Investor Program

[DaveTV]

One quick way to get a green card..

http://www.boston.com/news/local/ver...?p1=News_links

[Steve02331]

...and to create U.S. Jobs. We are using foreign investors money to create 10 jobs per green card. Seems like a great idea to me.

[snowmonster]

Looks like a win-win on both sides. What's the problem?

[kingdom-tele]

the irony of it now is Jay can hardly find enough people from this area to fill the "skilled" job slots, nice to see its sucking more flatlanders north though, classic NEK

[strawjack]

^kinda funny. i cannot believe the changes that have taken place up there...it is crazy. as long as the hill stays the same its all good. lift lines could become an issue i suppose.

[coltrain]

Interesting.....it's kind of a bummer seeing jay turn into a "resort".

[StopMakingSense]

Interesting.....it's kind of a bummer seeing jay turn into a "resort".

yeah a bummer that it's turning into a sustainable place year round ... sucks huh?

Jay is Jay, it's cold, the weather sucks, but it snows, the hill is not changing. Hell last year I was buying PBR draft for a $1.87 in the new lodge on Sunday's. I don't understand people who can't accept new things, deal with it, times change.

[StopMakingSense]

This has worked before for a city that just hosted the Winter Olympics... why would you deny rich wealthy investors into your country? I don't know but British Columbia sure didn't with the Japanese

::edit::

Just read the article and guess what "created in 1990 by Congress to compete with a similar initiative in Canada"

[kingdom-tele]

I don't understand people who can't accept new things, deal with it, times change.

Easy chief. No one is denying "progress" or "change". Its great for JPR. The reality is its not having the trickle down effect the plan proposes on paper, yet. I hope it does, a lot of folks up here could use a stable paycheck, health insurance, yada yada. For that to occur though the jobs being offered have to outweigh the benefits most people up here are surviving on, state aid. For all the headlines JPR throws around for enhancing the whole of the NEK it has been fairly isolated.

some would argue you could have infrastructure enhancement without making it a gongshowclusterfuck, but hey, 1.87 PBR's, nachos with lobster, and not one comfortable chair to sit in at the bar are worth the price of admission for a lot of people

[coltrain]

yeah a bummer that it's turning into a sustainable place year round ... sucks huh?
Jay is Jay, it's cold, the weather sucks, but it snows, the hill is not changing. Hell last year I was buying PBR draft for a $1.87 in the new lodge on Sunday's. I don't understand people who can't accept new things, deal with it, times change.

It's fine, didn't mean to wad up your bvd's on you.
I just liked things the way they were...and personally, I think there are cooler things that could be done than an indoor water park. Skating rink makes sense; maybe more outdoor activities?
Whatever, it is what it is...,

[Benny Profane]

Give us your tired and hungry and wealthy cash rich investors, yearning to live here somehow.

[AdironRider]

Easy chief. No one is denying "progress" or "change". Its great for JPR. The reality is its not having the trickle down effect the plan proposes on paper, yet. I hope it does, a lot of folks up here could use a stable paycheck, health insurance, yada yada. For that to occur though the jobs being offered have to outweigh the benefits most people up here are surviving on, state aid. For all the headlines JPR throws around for enhancing the whole of the NEK it has been fairly isolated.

some would argue you could have infrastructure enhancement without making it a gongshowclusterfuck, but hey, 1.87 PBR's, nachos with lobster, and not one comfortable chair to sit in at the bar are worth the price of admission for a lot of people

Regardless of who fills the year round job, that money gets injected directly into the local economy. Those managers and accountants (the skilled labor I assume your referencing) buy homes, groceries, go out to breakfast. Those year round positions usually imply those people are going to be a part of your community.

And if your not qualified, go out and get qualified for the skilled labor positions. If theyre importing it usually means your not as good as you think you are.

[Shu Shu]

I think it wil be hilarious to roll up into tramside on a pow day in feb and see people unloading surfboards. I don't see the water park affecting skier traffic all that much, maybe more at holiday times. But whatever if it brings in more money for the resort sweet, the freezer is always breaking down, and it would be nice to see the trail expansions they've been talking about forever. It seems like a wasted opportunity not to have put a water jump in the complex

[StopMakingSense]

Easy chief. No one is denying "progress" or "change". Its great for JPR. The reality is its not having the trickle down effect the plan proposes on paper, yet. I hope it does, a lot of folks up here could use a stable paycheck, health insurance, yada yada. For that to occur though the jobs being offered have to outweigh the benefits most people up here are surviving on, state aid. For all the headlines JPR throws around for enhancing the whole of the NEK it has been fairly isolated.

some would argue you could have infrastructure enhancement without making it a gongshowclusterfuck, but hey, 1.87 PBR's, nachos with lobster, and not one comfortable chair to sit in at the bar are worth the price of admission for a lot of people

The fact is people like me (and quite possibly you) go up there to ski the place because, lets be honest, it's got some killer terrain, amazing snow, and I love the grit it takes on some days just to stay out from bell to bell. Does it appease to all? No it certainly doesn't and they have that niche in the Northeast that's quite marketable and they've done an excellent job with it and grabbed that market. Sure they could improve just the infrastructure but what has that honestly done to their customer base? They still have the same niche in place with a better infrastructure. They might grab a few more with their enhancements but I'll ski the place no matter what, RFID or not.

As for the benefits received and the jobs created I honestly have no idea what JPR offers to their employees. I sure hope it's fair and equitable with all the money they have floating around from federal grants, to FDI, local investors, and they money their new improvements are supposedly bringing in. Some jobs are better then no jobs though right? I know a lot of the construction has been contracted out as local as possible with DEW Construction just outside of Burlington doing it and a fair amount of the building materials coming from down the road when possible. Just looking at the website you can't say that these full time listings aren't positive and don't provide better then state-aid - http://www.jaypeakresort.com/#/about...ime_positions/ ... just look at what the water park has created in the area of work that just isn't flipping a burger or being a lift attendant. Can the NEK even logistically provide this to JPR? I don't know, I'm hoping :/

I heard way too much bull shit last year from the old salts complaining about change, the snow isn't leaving, that's what I'm saying.

[lynchdogger]

Can all this invested $$$ guarantee that I get to ski tits deep every time I go?

[kingdom-tele]

And if your not qualified, go out and get qualified for the skilled labor positions. If theyre importing it usually means your not as good as you think you are.

Really, its a wonder why no one else in the social service community up here has thought of that. Tremendous insight. Maybe JPR will wait for the inspired local to start and finish his/her trade program which they can't afford to drive to or attend.

Jobs are good, JPR has numerous available, a select amount of local businesses are booming because of it, its a great influx into their pockets. But, to think because you work for JPR means your uprooting the fam from neighboring counties is a little naive. I'm really happy for the specialist from Mass and CT who gets to live his dream of moving to the country, buying 20 acres of land, and reminiscing with long walks in his posted/private woods. Unfortunately it does little for the family of four living in the neighboring trailer trying to figure out how to pay their new higher property tax that got bumped because of JPR's new employee's estate purchase.

I hope it does continue to boost the "local" economy, but it is slightly more complicated than "go out and get qualified..."

[Mr. Multiglisse]

The fact is people like me (and quite possibly you) go up there to ski the place because, lets be honest, it's got some killer terrain, amazing snow, and I love the grit it takes on some days just to stay out from bell to bell. Does it appease to all? No it certainly doesn't and they have that niche in the Northeast that's quite marketable and they've done an excellent job with it and grabbed that market. Sure they could improve just the infrastructure but what has that honestly done to their customer base? They still have the same niche in place with a better infrastructure. They might grab a few more with their enhancements but I'll ski the place no matter what, RFID or not....

....I heard way too much bull shit last year from the old salts complaining about change, the snow isn't leaving, that's what I'm saying.

Amen to that. Old salts will always complain about change and, Lord knows, there will always be something to complain about at Jay Peak. I am sure there were old salts complaining when Weyerhauser built the Tram back in the 60s. "But we like the poma ride to the summit!" (Actually, the poma would be handy to still have on wind-hold days.) I remember complaining when they replaced the Jet T-Bar with a chairlift. When I was 15, I thought the t-bar was pretty cool. Now I would rather sit on a chair. When Tram Haus Lodge was was being built, my ski posse and I thought it was a sacrilegious abomination. Now, I hardly notice it and really like the new bathrooms. I'm sure most of you posting here are like me and have passes or discounted tickets, park at Stateside, brown bag it, and, after you check out the waterpark out of curiosity, you will never set foot in it again. We are not the demographic they are building for and we will keep going to Jay, no matter where the money comes from or what they build at the base of the hill. The paint job on the terrain park hut pretty much sums it up for me:

[strawjack]

Can all this invested $$$ guarantee that I get to ski tits deep every time I go?

balls deep! guaranteed!

i am aware of one guy who was not willing to disclose all the paperwork necessary to make the investment and then apply for his green card. he was from Saudi Arabia. apparently, he gave the money to his wife and child and they are the ones getting the green card. this of course is all hearsay, but somewhat disturbing imo. just because someone has money does not mean we want them in our country.

[kingdom-tele]

Amen to that. Old salts will always complain about change and, Lord knows, there will always be something to complain about at Jay Peak. I am sure there were old salts complaining when Weyerhauser built the Tram back in the 60s. "But we like the poma ride to the summit!" (Actually, the poma would be handy to still have on wind-hold days.) I remember complaining when they replaced the Jet T-Bar with a chairlift. When I was 15, I thought the t-bar was pretty cool. Now I would rather sit on a chair. When Tram Haus Lodge was was being built, my ski posse and I thought it was a sacrilegious abomination. Now, I hardly notice it and really like the new bathrooms. I'm sure most of you posting here are like me and have passes or discounted tickets, park at Stateside, brown bag it, and, after you check out the waterpark out of curiosity, you will never set foot in it again. We are not the demographic they are building for and we will keep going to Jay, no matter where the money comes from or what they build at the base of the hill. The paint job on the terrain park hut pretty much sums it up for me:

and therein lies the rub for some.

when you keep bragging about how "enhancing" the changes will be for a local economy, but focus the changes to line your pockets it gets a little hard to digest for those on the other side of the fence.

but thats life in a ski resort anywhere I suppose

[darkstar1974]

balls deep! guaranteed!

i am aware of one guy who was not willing to disclose all the paperwork necessary to make the investment and then apply for his green card. he was from Saudi Arabia. apparently, he gave the money to his wife and child and they are the ones getting the green card. this of course is all hearsay, but somewhat disturbing imo. just because someone has money does not mean we want them in our country.

Agreed 100%. I think the idea for investment for green card is GREAT, but I really hope Homeland Security is seriously vetting these potential investors for ties to terrorism or illegal activity.

[Mr. Multiglisse]

and therein lies the rub for some.

when you keep bragging about how "enhancing" the changes will be for a local economy, but focus the changes to line your pockets it gets a little hard to digest for those on the other side of the fence.

but thats life in a ski resort anywhere I suppose

The "local economy" blather does get a bit tiresome, I'll admit. I don't live there, and I guess you do. I do live in a tourist area, very similar to the NEK in economic fortunes, and work in the tourism industry. It is frustrating to see huge resort and second-home development around here that ends up sitting empty most of the year and contributing little to the local economy once they are finished. Many of the lower-tier workers at these places are imported from Jamaica and elsewhere because locals can't afford to live here on seasonal minimum wage. Many of the wealthy cottagers around here hire contractors from the city to build their lakeside monster-plexes, which doesn't help either.

Personally, my attitude towards the project is very conflicted. One side of me would like to see Jay struggle along as a core skiers area, inhabited by those willing to put up with its quirks. The other side of me knows that isn't a realistic future these days, so I applaud them for taking advantage of a funding model that allows a ridiculous amount of change in a very short time, with, hopefully positive results for the NEK in general. My dream is seeing Jay survive as a viable ski area without Montgomery or Jay Village turning into little Stowes or Canmores where most people (as in the people who work those minimal-wage jobs at the hill or elsewhere) can't afford to live. I'd rather see more money spent improving on-hill infrastructure like lifts and trail connection (don't get me going) but if you believe the spin, that is coming eventually. Though I thought they claimed the lift realignment construction was starting in June 2011 - hmmm, anyone know anything about that?

Because of my blog, I have been fortunate to have some meetings with Steve Wright (Jay marketing guy) and participate in a couple of "insider" tours of the project. It was pretty interesting watching the change in attitude of the six participants of the "blogger summit" I organized last winter. All (including me) started out pretty much anti-development but after some great skiing, an interesting (and very open) chat with Steve and a hardhat tour of the new hotel, everyone had their mind expanded a bit and definitely softened in their criticism. Admittedly, we enjoyed some freebies but Steve made it very clear that there "was no agenda" and that he didn't "care what you write, as long as you write something." If you want to read more about that, click here or just search NSBS Northeast Ski Blogger Summit.

[Yeah!]

I really hope Homeland Security is seriously vetting these potential investors for ties to terrorism or illegal activity.

Quoted for truth.
I can agree with any perspective on this. It'll be interesting to see how it plays out. I hope it works, but won't be surprised if it doesn't and another stratified resort town is created.

[Mr. Multiglisse]

Check out the full-page Jay Peak ad in the new Powder mag. It is somewhat relevant to this discussion. They seem to be reaching out to the skeptics and members of the non-demographic.

I'll say this, they've hired some clever creative people. The Edward Gorey-esgue image stopped me in my tracks as I was leafing through the pages in the airport arrival lounge yesterday.

[whitewoodchuck]

Interesting.....it's kind of a bummer seeing jay turn into a "resort".

True, but perhaps it might help JP avoid Burke's constant cycle of fighting for its survival.

[kingdom-tele]

True, but perhaps it might help JP avoid Burke's constant cycle of fighting for its survival.

i wouldn't lose any sleep over Burke now, they have some deep pockets now pulling the strings, it will never be a JPR, besides, its a racers mountain