A 3-D-printed housing venture in Cairo, IL—an economically distressed the town of fewer than 2,000 citizens—as soon as drew hopes of revitalization.
However the effort has since stalled, leaving an unfinished construction, monetary disputes, and a reported FBI investigation into the corporate in the back of the failed venture.
The corporate, Status Mission Control Inc., was once based in 2021 by way of Jamie Hayes and Erik Burtis, consistent with an in depth investigation by way of ProPublica. The corporate later pursued a plan to make use of a 3-D building printer to construct reasonably priced housing in southern Illinois.
Greater than a yr after the venture to construct 30 duplexes introduced to native fanfare, the primary duplex stays unfinished, the commercial 3-D printing system sits disassembled, and the financing plan for the venture stays unresolved.
Offers and guarantees
Firstly, the advance venture introduced a spark of financial hope to Cairo, a seriously economically depressed town with a dwindling inhabitants.
As soon as a bustling and filthy rich the town on the confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, Cairo underwent an extended decline as railroads bypassed town and barges changed steamboats.
Burtis described the 3-D-printed housing venture as one thing God laid on his middle, together with a pledge to donate the primary house.
In August 2024, Status finalized an settlement with Cairo to construct 30 duplexes, ProPublica reported.
Town agreed to promote a vacant lot for $1 in change for one finished duplex, with plans for 29 further gadgets over 3 years.
The contract reportedly didn’t come with detailed financing plans, and town officers later stated they weren’t given transparent details about how the wider building could be funded. There is not any report, consistent with ProPublica, that the corporate implemented for housing program investment.
Town Council member Connie Williams informed ProPublica that town leaders had cautioned Status’s homeowners in opposition to making guarantees they might now not stay.
“We stored announcing to them, ‘Glance, we’ve had sufficient folks come thru Cairo speaking all this loopy stuff after which again out,’” she stated. “And so they had been identical to, ‘No, no, oh no, that’s now not us. We’re right here. God despatched us.’”
Development and setbacks
In August 2024, Status assembled a 3-D printer on a vacant lot in Cairo and temporarily raised the construction’s partitions, with inner paintings starting quickly after, consistent with ProPublica.
On the other hand, building reportedly stalled prior to final touch. Cracks later gave the impression within the construction, and the printer was once in the end got rid of from the website.
A yr later, the duplex remained unfinished and unoccupied.
Hayes informed ProPublica the concrete “ink” used within the printer was once faulty, leaving the system idle.
Burtis stated he employed an engineering company to approve a remediation plan the usage of hydraulic cement to fix cracks. Crews have since returned to the website, even though Burtis stated delays have persevered because of problems with incorrectly sized cupboards.
He stated the completed duplex would in the end be became over to the town.
Financing and printer disputes
Ahead of the Cairo venture, Status allegedly misplaced a $590,000 deposit after canceling an previous 3-D printer order, consistent with ProPublica.
In October 2023, Grand Rivers Group Financial institution licensed a $1.1 million mortgage for a brand new printer, requiring participation from every other financial institution. Part the price range had been despatched as a deposit to Peri 3-D Development, which reportedly was once anticipated to ship the printer in a minimum of six months.
By way of early 2024, Status sought to cancel the order amid considerations about delays and explored choice providers, ProPublica reported. Peri 3-D declined to go back the deposit. Status later used closing mortgage price range to buy a distinct printer, which was once delivered months later.
The corporate sued Peri 3-D in 2025 and gained a default judgment after the corporate didn’t reply, even though restoration of price range stays unsure. Status continues to pay off the unique mortgage—about $13,000 monthly—regardless of by no means receiving the primary printer.
Investigation and fallout
The FBI has opened an investigation into Status’s industry dealings, consistent with ProPublica. No fees were filed, and the corporate denies wrongdoing.
Investigators have issued a federal grand jury subpoena for monetary data and feature reportedly sought further paperwork from native governments tied to unrelated contracts.
ProPublica reported that Illinois State Sen. Dale Fowler promoted Status’s venture to state housing officers and a state fee. The corporate later changed into his greatest direct marketing campaign donor, contributing $22,000 from 2022 to 2024. Fowler informed ProPublica he was once ignorant of the federal investigation and denied wisdom of any wrongdoing.
In the meantime, a former Status worker informed ProPublica he changed into an FBI whistleblower, alleging the corporate misrepresented its plans—claims the corporate disputes. Status staffers informed ProPublica they’ve cooperated with investigators and deny any misconduct.
Realtor.com® reached out to the FBI, Status Mission Control Inc., and Fowler however didn’t listen again.
In the meantime, Cairo Mayor Thomas Simpson informed ProPublica he nonetheless hopes every other developer will in the end observe thru on development housing within the town.
