Components of Our Sustainable Communities
We refer to the elements of our Sustainable Communities as Components and Sub-components. These components are the physical structures, business entities and the socio-economic programs, and are further detailed by their sub-components. Each component and sub-component is selected, designed and integrated into the whole based on its ability to be self-sustaining from the environmental, economic and social perspectives.
Within our Management team, partners and resources, we have multiple providers for each of these components with the most cutting-edge, but proven, solutions for design, development and operational management. We integrate the “Best of the Best” and most appropriate solution to meet the goals and requirements of each Sustainable Community on a case-by-case basis.
Regarding development, we will endeavor to work with local businesses and labor to design, develop and operate each of the components and the Sustainable Community as a whole..
Several of the components create for-profit, community business enterprises (CBE’s) that provide products and/or services to the entire community. These businesses will be incubated under our business model with the intent to identify local entrepreneurs for long-term management and growth. These CBE’s will not only provide products and services to the Sustainable Community, but to the surrounding communities and residents as well.
The following is a description of several of the major components of our Sustainable Communities, but is not all-inclusive.
Utilities Center – Processes the community wastewater, trash and sewage so that zero waste ends up in a landfill or contaminates the groundwater. Depending on local utility regulatory statutes, the Utility Center can be a CBE.
Renewable Energy Production – Wind, solar, geothermal, fuel cell and biomass systems are incorporated into the community, based on the local conditions, to produce 100% of the community’s needs. Utility-scale energy storage systems ensure 100% power availability 24/7/365. Depending on the local utility regulations, the community will be grid-tied for the off-take of excess electricity and back-up power in extreme circumstances.
Information Technologies Services Center – A high density Data Center with head-end systems to provide video, audio, data (i.e. telephone, TV, VOD & internet), alarm monitoring and video surveillance services throughout the community via the community network. The technologies used and bundling of the complete suite of services allows us to provide these vital services at a very low cost, relative to competing providers, to every residence and business within our community. The IT Services Center is a CBE.
Technology Manufacturing Center – We have several companies that require new manufacturing facilities and are the primary sources of new, good paying jobs. We will assess the most appropriate that will be included in our Sustainable Community, and depending on local zoning ordinances, will be located in a section of the community, or close by. In such event, we will provide scheduled green mass transit to and from the community and Technology Manufacturing Center.
Residential Housing – A wide variety of housing types to meet the needs of the demographics of the area and future residents. Single family homes, multi-unit and rental properties will be developed to the highest LEED standards. Our construction methods, materials and designs are so cutting-edge, that LEED Platinum is very attainable and provides a very desirable product design for homebuyers.
Town Square – A mixed use component with retail, restaurants, office and residential space in one, two and three-story buildings. The residential housing mentioned above will be clustered around the Town Square. Streets run through the Town Square with a center green as a gathering place for families and concerts from within our Sustainable Community and from surrounding communities.
Small Businesses – The small businesses in the Town Square include restaurants, coffee shops, dry cleaners, bakery, fresh food market, clothing stores, street vendors, etc, to promote the residents to take a walk and to do their day-to-day shopping at the Town Square. The small businesses will also be supported by the surrounding communities.
Farming Systems – Utilizing high-yield farming technologies, the Sustainable Community can literally grow enough fresh produce and/or meat products for the entire community. From rooftop greenhouse farming in urban areas to pastures and farmland incorporated into the residential components in rural areas, each area will be assessed for the appropriate type of agricultural and livestock farming. Local farming ensures more jobs, minimal transportation costs and minimal loss due to spoilage. This is another CBE.
Senior Living & Veterans Housing Campus – A state of the art facility providing a community within a community, with housing types including age-restricted, independent, assisted, skilled nursing and Alzheimer’s care. Veteran’s and disabled Veteran’s housing is also included. This, or any of its subcomponents, are CBE’s.
Medical Facilities and Home Health Care – In conjunction with the Senior Living and disabled Veteran’s housing, medical facilities will be available to the Sustainable Community residents as well as the surrounding communities. Depending on local and state laws, we are able to provide a “blanket” home health care service to the entire community. Remember “House Calls”? The Home Health Care service can become a CBE.
Schools, K thru 12 – Approximately 25 to 35% of the residents will be school-aged children, approximately 800 to 1,000 students. This is a perfect opportunity to utilize a prep school model incorporating traditional curricula with curricula relating to sustainability, renewable and conservation studies. Coupled with internships at the CBE’s and field trips to the common area ecosystems will better prepare our youth for the future demand for these types of jobs and to teach them how to become a part of the synergy of sustainability. Educating our youth is a critical element of true sustainability.
Common Area EcoSystems – The common, open, green spaces within the community will incorporate living ecosystems that produce a benefit to the community and provide beautiful areas to relax. A high-tech landscaping company becomes a CBE.
Transportation Systems – Within the community and to key point outside the community, mass, electric and hybrid vehicles will provide transportation. Ownership of private electric, hybrid and hydrogen technology vehicles will also be encouraged by providing the recharging and refueling stations within the community. Fleets of “rental” electric vehicles will also be made available to residents on a membership-type basis.
Green Job Training & Internships – Not only do our Sustainable Communities create new, direct “Green” jobs, but is also an explosive growth area throughout the United States and the world. Training and re-training of adults as well as training at the high school and college levels for these new jobs is provided. We have the appropriate curricula and a distance learning system that delivers rich, high quality multi-media content regardless of the internet connection, and to practically any internet-enabled device.
