North Ingalls Study

The Town of Ingalls and a citizen’s group, South West Regional Development Corporation (SWRDC), hired the Sustainable Communities Institute (SCI) to explore alternative development ideas for land near the I69 State Road 13 exit..

Ingalls is impacted by the continual growth of the I69 corridor and the expansion of the surrounding communities. This economic growth needs careful management and controls to turn a threat into an opportunity to thrive.

Concept A shows the integration of the different land uses and a large amount of land dedicated to residential use. The design illustrates two housing configurations that target different markets based on the final amenities that become part of the overall development. 

Concept B aims to create a unique place using the agrihood residential development integrating food production through the community-supported agricultural approach. The most significant difference between the conceptual designs is the allocation of land uses. Concept B reduces the residential land area by increasing the commercial development on the site; as part of a micro-conference center, the hotel and microbrewery result in more business development.

SCI and Agriburbia® work with communities to create healthy, nutrient-dense foods that improve people’s health and create economic development opportunities by localizing markets and attracting similar businesses (functional medicine professionals, nutritionists, exercise and recreational shops, and others).

Agrivoltaic Farmsteads are also featured as a solution for the land adjacent to the interstate that is not ideal for residential or business development. Instead, they create multiple revenue streams for the land owners through harvesting food for the local food ecosystem (cooperative) and harvesting energy that farmers can sell to a local micro-grid or independent energy company 

Sustainable Living & Growing Centers are a destination committed to demonstrating and sharing the principles of sustainable living applied through an integrated systems understanding. The center is a collaborative effort that brings together active businesses that provide essential commodities for the local economy while providing critical healthy lifestyle instruction. This transparency creates life-long learning activities associated with a sustainable living agenda that addresses food, energy, and water resources as an integrated system. 

The study aims to establish a vision for the area that generates constructive dialogue between all interested parties—land owners, concerned citizens, developers, elected officials, and the town staff.

The challenge is to reorient this business development to benefit the residents of Ingalls while leveraging the region’s economic power int development that improves the quality of life of Ingalls.