Purpose
This project supported the BioTown USA initiative of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) to convert a small town in western Indiana to 100 percent biorenewable energy.  It also sought to extend the BioTown agenda beyond energy production to address energy efficiency and economic and community development.

Action
The team met with the BioTown director, ISDA representatives, and members of the community.  They organized and managed an Energy-Efficiency and Change-a-Light Conference (a national project of the U.S. Department of Energy EERE Program) and staffed three booths at the conference.  They distributed compact florescent lamps (CFLs) and information to each household; and conducted a community-wide interview and survey.  The students participated in a town visioning session and developed a conceptual master plan for the Eco-economic Innovation Center.    They designed and in some cases created educational pieces on renewable energy (a DVD for the general public), residential energy retrofitting (a DVD for homeowners); and sustainability storytelling based on fables (for primary school students).

Results
The team organized an Energy-efficiency and Save-a-Light Workshop; created information sheets on energy in the home, in the yard, in the community, and in the car; conducted a community interview and survey; developed a conceptual master plan for the Reynolds Eco-economic Innovation Center; and prepared educational tools and sessions for key audiences.

Faculty Mentor
John Motloch, Department of Landscape Architecture, College of Architecture and Planning

Partners
BioTown USA Initiative; Building Better Communities Program at Ball State University; Community of Reynolds; Indiana State Department of Agriculture

Students
Ryne Brutus; Jacob Clere; Frances L. Hernandez; Nicole Holt; Kallie Kiger; Kevin Mealy; Erica Mensch; Emily Perchlik; Dustin Trahin; Sarah Vessel; Anthony York