While doing research for this website I come across lots of new businesses,developments and even some business ideas that may or may not ever come to fruition. But of all those things I've found over the last year and 3 months I was most surprised when I came across a plan to build a walled city in Benewah County,Idaho not far from St. Maries and a mere hour south of Coeur d' Alene. I must admit this is the most unusual business news item I've reported on but I have been able to confirm it as true.
The group is a conservative patriot survivalist organization the uses the name The Citadel. The plan calls for construction to begin in the fall of 2013. The proposal is to construct a fortified city on a mountain near St. Maries. This new walled city would be home to upwards of 7,000 residents who would purchase a home in the city,some reports even indicate that some of the communities homes have already been sold. Potential residents will also be given the option of living inside or outside of the cities walls.
Within The Citadel's new city would also be all of the typical aspects of any small town including a bank,jail and a library. It's the other parts of the community that are the ones that grab one's attention. Those town features include a firearms museum, a castle and even a firearms manufacturing facility.
To live in this yet to be named city,residents must agree to a set of rules which includes being able to shoot a man sized steel target as well as a requirement to have at least 1,000 rounds of ammunition in the residents possession.
Sources say this project won't happen for sometime and may not even end up being located in Benewah County since the group is still in the early stages of planning. The Citadel however has formed it's own firearm business and recently formed a land development company that goes by the name Citadel Land Development,LLC.
Unlike some other similar conservative groups,The Citadel does not plan to have a leader over it's planned city and no police. The Citadel also makes mention that their firearms factory will be able employ all of Benewah County completely wiping out the counties unemployment rate.
I expect to hear more of this in the coming months so please keep watching Inland Northwest Business Watch as we track any news surrounding this idea.
