If the developer’s plans go forward on his aggressive timetable, the world’s first all-solar city may break ground yet this year, with the city center up-and-running as soon as next year. We’ll see.
I wonder what the financial institution(s) of Babcock Ranch will look like? While Morgan Stanley is heavily invested in the project, it’s unlikely they would want to get involved in retail banking in what is designed to be a relatively small city of just 45,000.
But for consumer financial services companies, banking the future denizens of Babcock Ranch could be a great branding opportunity for alt-delivery and green banking concepts:
- Low impact mini-branch(es) and/or branches located
within other retail establishments - High-end check-scanning ATMs
- Contactless terminals deployed citywide
- Online banking for consumers and small businesses
- Emphasis on paperless billing/banking
- Loan incentives for electric vehicles, scooters and
low-impact transportation options
For more info:
- April 22, 2009 Naples News: Florida legislature may not come through with solar tax breaks this year
- April 9, 2009 New York Times: Developer Syd Kitson lays out the vision for Babcock Ranch
- Aired April 9, 2009: WBBH local NBC news interview with Syd Kitson