Bay Creek Wins NGCOA Mid-Atlantic Sustainability Award

Bay Creek, a master-planned coastal community in Cape Charles, Virginia, and an EB5AN-sponsored rural EB-5 project, has been recognized for its commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable development.

The National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA) Mid-Atlantic recently named Bay Creek Golf Club the recipient of its 2025 Sustainability Award, honoring the community’s leadership in integrating conservation and sustainability principles into its operations.

This distinction underscores Bay Creek’s position as not only a high-quality residential and recreational development but also a model of responsible environmental management. For EB-5 investors, the recognition reinforces the project’s long-term stability, thoughtful planning, and commitment to balancing economic and ecological priorities.

Environmental Leadership and Conservation Efforts

The NGCOA Mid-Atlantic Sustainability Award highlights Bay Creek’s innovative approach to land and resource management. The community’s decision to retire nine golf holes and repurpose the area as a vast nature preserve has resulted in a significant increase in native habitats, biodiversity, and shoreline resilience along Virginia’s Eastern Shore.

Working with partners such as Avid Trails, Preserve Communities, and AES Engineering, Bay Creek has transformed this space into a conservation-focused amenity featuring trails, wildlife habitats, and access to non-motorized water recreation. The preserve complements Bay Creek’s existing environmental initiatives, which are rooted in the Audubon International Signature Program, a recognized framework for sustainable golf and community development.

These efforts demonstrate a comprehensive approach to responsible land use, balancing recreation, residential growth, and environmental protection. Such practices enhance long-term property values, operational efficiency, and community appeal, all of which contribute to a stable foundation for investors.

Overview of the Bay Creek EB-5 Project

Bay Creek encompasses 1,700 acres on Chesapeake Bay and features a combination of residential and recreational components. The project includes the development and sale of residential land lots, single-family homes, villas, cottages, and condominiums. The project will also involve completing water and sewer infrastructure, developing new luxury amenities, and continuing the operation of two award-winning golf courses. The golf courses, designed by legendary golfers Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus, are currently operational with 550 active members.

Residents and guests at Bay Creek are provided access to over two miles of private beaches and a 350-acre nature preserve. The community’s design emphasizes open space, natural beauty, and recreational amenities that promote a balanced coastal lifestyle.

The Bay Creek EB-5 investment is a senior loan that is secured by a recorded mortgage and is within a rural targeted employment area (TEA). Its rural designation provides several benefits to investors, including a reduced minimum investment of $800,000, priority I-526E processing, and access to the rural visa set-aside category, which reserves 20% of all EB-5 visas each year. These features help mitigate immigration-related delays and enhance the overall attractiveness of the offering.

Investment Structure and Risk Mitigation

The Bay Creek EB-5 investment is structured as a senior secured loan. Each investor participates through an individual four-year loan term, secured by a first-priority mortgage on the developable property. This senior position provides investors with enhanced protection compared to other EB-5 investments.

The project incorporates multiple safeguards designed to reduce both immigration and financial risk, including:

• I-526E approval refund guaranty: If an investor’s petition is denied by USCIS, the investment amount is refunded within a defined period, subject to guaranty terms.
• Job creation guaranty: The developer guarantees that all EB-5 funds will be allocated toward qualifying project expenditures.

The project is expected to create approximately 3,286 qualifying jobs, or about 18 jobs per investor—far exceeding the EB-5 program’s requirement of 10 jobs per investor. This surplus provides a substantial cushion of compliance for all participants.

Developer and Regional Center Experience

The Bay Creek project is managed under the leadership of Bobby Masters, who has served as the community’s General Manager since 2020. Mr. Masters has nearly four decades of experience in the development and management of large-scale master-planned communities. His portfolio includes more than 15 communities and over 30,000 homes developed on approximately 25,000 acres of land.

The project’s EB-5 component is sponsored by EB5AN, a leading EB-5 firm with a 100% USCIS project approval rate. Over the past decade, EB5AN has facilitated more than $1 billion in EB-5 capital investments, supporting projects with total development costs exceeding $7 billion and assisting more than 2,700 immigrant families from over 70 countries.

Work With EB5AN to Build a Sustainable Investment Future

The 2025 NGCOA Mid-Atlantic Sustainability Award recognizes Bay Creek’s leadership in environmentally responsible development. The award specifically highlights the creation of the nature preserve, replacement of irrigated turf with native meadows, and enhancement of local wetlands and dunes, all measures that contribute to long-term environmental resilience.

These achievements illustrate how Bay Creek continues to advance both environmental and economic goals while promoting regional education and awareness of Chesapeake Bay conservation priorities. For investors, this award reflects a well-managed, forward-thinking project that integrates sustainability into its core business strategy.

For EB-5 investors seeking a project that combines regulatory advantages, demonstrated market success, and sustainable practices, Bay Creek offers a uniquely balanced opportunity. It stands as a model of how thoughtful planning, experienced management, and environmental accountability can work together to deliver enduring value for investors, residents, and the broader community.

To learn more about the Bay Creek EB-5 project or other EB5AN investment opportunities, schedule a free call with our expert team today.