TOP BUSINESS PLAN WRITERS
MARISA MARCONI Founder & Lead Writer Pinnacle Plan Writing LLC
Marisa Marconi is the founder and lead writer at Pinnacle Plan Writing LLC , where she focuses on plans for immigrant and non-immigrant visa petitions . She has been developing detailed business plans since 2007 and has specialized in EB-5 business plans since 2012 . Prior to launching Pinnacle , Marconi was the senior project manager and immigration specialist at a major business plan-writing firm in Portland , Oregon . Over the course of her career , Marconi has developed more than 800 business plans for visa petitions , including 275 EB-5 plans for both direct and regional center and has overseen the development of almost 2,500 business plans for entrepreneurs seeking bank loans , angel funding or venture capital . Her portfolio includes plans for companies spanning a multitude of industries , ranging from small businesses operating on a local level , to large , multinational ventures . Marconi holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Columbia University .
WHY DID YOU GET INVOLVED IN THE EB-5 INDUSTRY ?
Starting in 2011 , I started to see a sharp increase in inquiries from developers and attorneys in need of plans for EB-5 projects . As the program evolved and Matter of Ho came into play , I realized that the business plan was an increasingly important component of the overall EB-5 process and that plans for EB-5 projects required a higher level of detail , attention and complexity than traditional business plans . I like a challenge and I support programs that promote investment and growth in communities , so shifting my focus to the EB-5 space was an easy choice .
ARE YOU SEEING ANY SIGNS THAT THE COMMUNITY IS STARTING TO ADJUST TO POSSIBLE TEA CHANGES ?
I have seen an increase in projects in smaller metro areas that were hit hard by the recession and suffered losses in major industries , but are now recovering and being reinvented . It ’ s great to see the EB-5 program playing a role in the revitalization of downtown areas in places like upstate New York . I would love to see more projects in my town ( Portland , Oregon ) and some of the rural communities around here . I think that infrastructure projects could emerge as good opportunities for investors and developers if TEA rules change .
TOM MARTIN Vice President Baker Tilly Capital
Tom Martin is a vice president with Baker
Tilly Capital and currently leads the EB-5 U . S . consulting practice . With over five years of EB-5 experience , Martin chiefly works within the EB-5 practice areas to structure EB-5 offerings for qualifying projects and businesses . Martin has personally overseen the completion of more than 500 economic impact reports and business plans related to EB-5 and other immigration related programs . He serves as a strategic advisor to regional centers , developers and project owners utilizing EB-5 financing to fund economic development across the United States . Martin has also participated in the formation and approval of over 60 regional centers and assisted in the structuring of successful raises of EB-5 capital . Prior to Baker Tilly , Martin worked in education and sales . He has taught and presented to small and large groups and he has a love and passion for teaching and facilitating .
WHAT TRENDS ARE YOU SEEING IN THE EB-5 INDUSTRY ?
This year we are seeing projects with smaller EB-5 raises , under $ 30 million , and more interest in the direct EB-5 program . Real estate projects , primary multi-family housing and mixed use projects , are still dominant ; however , we are increasingly helping clients that are working on restaurants , technology and smaller manufacturing projects . This trend in smaller raises is likely to continue as uncertainty about potential changes in the program linger and clients are looking to quickly capitalize their projects ahead of any significant changes to the program .
ARE YOU SEEING ANY SIGNS THAT THE COMMUNITY IS STARTING TO ADJUST TO POSSIBLE TEA CHANGES ?
There is a significant increase in new projects in rural and distressed areas . We help clients determine whether a project qualifies as rural or distressed urban and identify for which new markets tax credits criteria the project may qualify . A project meeting such criteria could have a marketing advantage should the legislation change that sets aside visas for these subgroups . I think most EB-5 industry stakeholders agree that the stability of the EB-5 program is critical for the industry ’ s long-term success . Congress will hopefully address the visa cap by removing derivatives from the allocation and increase integrity measures to ensure the program ’ s future vitality .
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