A mystery company has purchased nearly $1 billion worth of land close to a big air force base in California. This has raised worries that a foreign group might be buying the land to pose a threat to the security of the United States, NY Post reported.
Mystery Company Bought Nearly $1 Billion in Land Near California Air Force Base, Officials Raise Concerns
According to federal officials who spoke with ABC7 News, they are very doubtful about the purchase of land close to Travis Air Force Base. The company in question is called Flannery Associates LLC. They’ve acquired a vast area of 55,000 acres of dry farmland in Solano County. This land includes parcels that surround three sides of one of the most important military bases in the western United States.
These strange purchases began back in 2018 and have continued through 2023. They add up to a staggering sum of about $800 million. Federal authorities are raising concerns about the intentions behind these acquisitions. And their potential impact on the national security of the country.
The Wall Street Journal has reported that the company has quickly become the biggest landowner in the county within just five years. This has caught the attention of the federal government, and now they are investigating the firm.
These eyebrow-raising land purchases come after lawmakers raised concerns last year. A Chinese company had bought 300 acres of farmland near a US Air Force base in North Dakota. The Air Force base in Grand Forks is home to sensitive drone technology, making the acquisition a worrisome event.
Air Force Base Shows Lack Of Federal Transparency, Officials Say
Given the rapid buying spree by Flannery Associates, the Agriculture Department has decided to request information about the company’s ownership structure, as reported by The Wall Street Journal. The government wants to understand who is behind these large land acquisitions.
Recently, the company sent an official response letter to the Agriculture Department. The information was made available to The Post by Richard Melnyk, who is a lawyer representing Flannery.
Mitch Mashburn, the county supervisor, shared that the company has not been talking to local officials about their plans for the land. They haven’t revealed what they intend to do with it, The Journal reported.
“The majority of the land they’re purchasing is dry farmland,” Mashburn said. “I don’t see where that land can turn a profit to make it worth almost a billion dollars in investment.”
A representative from the air force base revealed that the military is well aware of the various land purchases happening near the base. They are actively taking steps both within their own organization. And in coordination with other agencies to address the situation.
