Visa program central to hybrid car factory plans faces uncertain future - al.com

Visa program central to hybrid car factory plans faces uncertain future - al.com: "WASHINGTON — Backers of a proposed hybrid car plant for north Baldwin County said they plan to rely heavily on a special federal visa program to attract the foreign investment needed for almost $1.5 billion in startup capital.

But a potential snag has emerged: That program will expire at midnight Wednesday, with Congress set to approve only a one-month stopgap extension for now.

Like many federal ventures, the program — technically known as the Immigrant Investor Pilot Program — needs congressional renewal every few years or else will 'sunset.'"