The ongoing debate about the proposed corn milling plant from Fufeng Group, a China-based agribusiness, has created a lot of discussion in and around Grand Forks since the plant was first announced in November 2021, at times gaining national attention.

The company's ties to China, as well as worries about the environment and other concerns, have made for raucous city council meetings at times and a long process for local leaders.

After initially asking for a deeper look at the plant, U.S. Sens. Kevin Cramer and John Hoeven, both Republicans from North Dakota, suggested in August that the city move on from the plant, citing national security concerns due to the plant's proximity to Grand Forks Air Force Base about 12 miles away. And at the end of 2022, a federal panel known as the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States determined it did not have jurisdiction in the matter.

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