Startup
People
It's no simple undertaking. Have good, dedicated friends to venture together as a cohesive team and community. Some volunteers might support the project.
Land
It all starts with land.
Where to Buy Land and What to Look For
Internet service provider for the area - crucial for internet access
Delivery reach (ex. USPS, UPS, Fedex) - crucial for material sourcing
Arable soil and farm-friendly climate - crucial for agriculture
Treelines - crucial for erosion prevention, wind blocking, construction, wood fuel
CEB-composition soil - crucial for construction
Local suppliers of wood, cement, gravel, sand, ... (similar materials) - crucial for construction
Ability to get commercial food, trash pickup, grid water, grid electricity, gasoline, propane - crucial for startup/backup infrastructure
Transportation
A reliable, easy-to-use truck and trailer is essential for material transportation.
Where to Buy a Truck and What to Look For
Big bed capable of handling heavy loads - crucial for transporting large and massive materials
Robust hitch for trailer
Easy to fuel and maintain
Preferable to have 4/5-person seating
Where to Buy a Trailer and What to Look For
Big bed capable of handling heavy loads - crucial for transporting large and massive materials
Compatible with the truck's rear hitch and easy to connect/disconnect - crucial for truck-trailer ease-of-use
Easy to maintain
Portable Tool Shed
By now you have land, truck, and trailer. In order to develop on the land you'll need tools. And tools need protection from weather.
Build a Portable Tool Shed somewhere accessible on the land.
Fill the shed with:
Safety Equipment - your life depends on it
Mechanical Hand Tools - they're handy dandy
Gasoline Containers - as fuel
Motor Oil - for engine lubrication
Gasoline Generator - for portable AC power
Extension Cords - for electric power transmission over distances
Residence and Workshop
This is no small venture, but becomes a major milestone. Once you finish the foundation and roofing you are well-set. You'll want a reliable construction set to do this.
Tractor
Bulldozer
Front-loading Bucket
Soil Pulverizer
Cement Mixer
CEB Press
Chop Saw
Energy Storage
Having a battery bank is important to store energy. A battery bank needs enclosed protection from the elements as well as space for maneuvering it into the right position with a tractor or other heavy-lifting machine to carry it.
Battery Bank - for electrochemical energy storage
Inverters and 3-phase Converter - for using the battery bank to get different forms of electrical power
Chargers - for energizing the battery bank