Have you deployed a Gigabit Fiber Network and then asked “Now What?” Progressive communities around the country are deploying Gigabit fiber networks on the assumption that once built, their young people will stay, new Millennials will arrive, high tech startups will appear, and the local economy will grow organically like a fruit on the fiber vine. Surprise! Deploying a Gigabit Fiber network is just the first step -- the beginning --to developing a 21st century community where young people want to live, work and create. The Ecoland Institute (ELI) has discovered that all ages and businesses want to live a proud CLIC sponsor in “Timeless Communities” that are human centered, resilient, sustainable, and environmentally responsible. Over four years, we have developed a framework, list of elements and methodology which responds to the question: How do we cultivate Timeless Communities that attract, retain and grow younger generations all the time. ELI engages Millennials to take part in the design of communities in which they would want to live. Gigabit Internet is just a piece of that; you must go beyond a fiber infrastructure and develop humancentered communities.

Ecoland Institute and Timeless Communities Ecoland Institute, Inc., is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization responding to issues of community sustainability, and resiliency by developing “Timeless Communities.” A “Timeless Community” is a place that enables healthy, enjoyable, and prosperous experiences while protecting the environment. It is human centered, balances technology with nature and is adaptable to advancements. It is a place for all generations, all the time. Most importantly, a Timeless Community is charming.

Realizing Your Broadband Investments Your broadband investment is not the end-all for your community development. It is one piece of the ecosystem that you are hoping to affect. Ecoland Institute brings a multidisciplinary team that connects your infrastructure investment to the development of your community in order to enable desired human experiences. We uncover the elements that will make your community attractive to all generations all the time. What makes us successful:   

Our unique Framework and Methodology; Our independent and trusted collaborative environment guided by our global experts; Our ability to engage and unlock the potential of younger generations

www.ecolandinstitute.org

Made by Millennials Program A core catalyst of ELI’s Timeless Community approach is collaborative development with the younger generation. ELI engages local and international Millennials in an independent and trusting environment to address community challenges. ELI has discovered that Millennials seek out the elements of Timeless Communities. We unlock their potential and creativity to own and create a better future – their Timeless Community. The following are some highlights of Made by Millennials - MbM - Programs: 2007: Smart Sustainable Community Concept The Ecoland Development Group had access to 400 acres of unadulterated land in Harnett County, NC. They were advised to bulldoze its pristine forest and maximize the number of houses. We searched for better strategies and widened our net on how to build resilient, sustainable and prosperous communities that we call “Timeless Communities.” We turned to renowned universities and developed a network of global experts to help us define the elements of Timeless Communities. 2013: NCSU Architectural School: DESIGN A TIMELESS COMMUNITY ELI structured a Timeless Community project for an NC State masters-level course called “Anatomy of a City.” Twenty five (25) master students were assigned and developed six land use plans for a Timeless Community which included balancing nature with technology, organic farms and selfsustaining micro utilities. 2013- 2014: Izmir University of Economics (IUE), Turkey: DEFINE THE ELEMENTS OF A TIMELESS COMMUNITY Over two semesters, ELI tasked five undergraduate seniors with uncovering the critical elements of Timeless Communities. These students lived driving distance from ancient and modern cities. Eighty (80) human experiences were uncovered. Summer 2014: ELI 10-week Internship: DESIGN KEY ELEMENTS FOR A TIMELESS COMMUNITY; Eleven students from diverse universities were given 10 weeks to select a challenge to address within the Timeless Community context and answer it with a workable project. The students created “Hybrid House for Millennials” and a local marketable food system called FARM - Fresh Affordable, Resilient, Moral food. Fall 2015: UNC Capstone Project – IMPLEMENT STUDENT GROWN FOOD FOR CAMPUS ELI’s FARM project interns carried their project excitement into their fall semester and with close collaboration between ELI and UNC Chapel Hill’s School of Information and Library Science (SILS) and Environmental Science (ENEC), it became a 3-credit UNC Capstone Project. Students developed a

database system to help the UNC Dining Hall and on campus grocery stores make local food purchasing decisions based on nutritional and hydroponic values. Spring 2015: Wilson, NC: CREATE A TIMELESS COMMUNITY IN A GIGABIT CITY Wilson is known for having North Carolina’s first community owned, symmetrical gigabit fiber network. Although Wilson had some of the fastest internet in the state, a significant number of Millennials were working in Wilson and living somewhere else. Wilson wanted to retain and attract young people to live where they work. In the spring and summer of 2015, ELI implemented the first phase of its MbM program, which uncovered the assets and challenges faced by the community to be a Timeless Community and retain its Millennials. In the spring of 2016, ELI then began initiating the next phase in Wilson in partnership with Barton College, as it now begins to create a safe and trusted environment in which these young people can re-energize the Timeless Community elements in Wilson. Fall 2015: Izmir, Turkey – BEYOND SMART CITIES ELI was invited to Izmir, an 8,000 year old cosmopolitan city of 4 million population, to conduct a Future Readiness workshop. ELI brought together high school and university students, businesses, local, federal government and military representatives to shape a future vision for sustaining Izmir. A central part of this process was including the young generations into the decision making process for the future of their city.

Contact us to start YOUR TIMELESS COMMUNITY [email protected] www.ecolandinsitute.org +1 919 322 9863

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