THE SUN VILLAGE COMMUNITY LAND TRUST

In Sun Village, there is a growing concern about encroachment from bordering cities and towns and the potential loss of indigenous land and community-owned businesses. To address concerns, the Sun Village Town Council has established the Sun Village Community Land Trust (CLT). 

The articles of incorporation for the Sun Village CLT outline the core principles and objectives of the organization. At its core, the CLT is created to protect and preserve the land of Sun Village for future generations. This means ensuring that green spaces, community hubs, and locally-owned businesses are safeguarded from the threat of land grab from bordering towns. 

One of the unique aspects of the Sun Village CLT is the concept of community ownership through its investors. These investors, who are also members of the CLT as part of the Community Investment Group (CIG), are collective owners of the land through a Collective Land Owners Agreement. This means that decisions regarding the use and development of the and are made collectively, with the best interests of the community in mind. Home and land owners already in Sun Village can benefit by having their properties protected from policy changes in the county and the state. 

Investors in the Sun Village CLT have the opportunity to support a wide range of projects and initiatives. They can invest in land and other real estate, businesses, open spaces, community spaces, small businesses, agriculture, and more. This diverse range of investment opportunities allows members to contribute to the growth and sustainability of the community in meaningful ways. 

There are two ways for investors to benefit from the Sun Village CLT. The first option is the Land Split, where the land is divided into equal parts for individual projects that do not conflict with each other. In this scenario, investors pay land dues to support the maintenance and upkeep of the shared space. A percentage of the Land Dues is set aside for the Land Buy Back Fund. 

The second option is to split profits five ways after a collective project on the land. In this model, the profits generated from the project are split evenly among the investors, with one additional share allocated to the Land Buy Back Fund and future investments in the CLT. 

Overall, the Sun Village Community Land Trust offers a unique and innovative approach to land ownership and community development. By embracing principles of collective ownership, sustainable growth and community empowerment, the CLT aims to create a vibrant and resilient community that will endure for generations to come.