FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 8, 2023 - BUTTE-- The Uptown Butte Master Plan was formally adopted May 2022 as part of the Butte-Silver Bow Comprehensive Plan. The plan can be viewed at uptownbuttemasterplan.com. An implementation team has been working hard to move the projects, initiatives, and recommendations in the plan forward.
One of the recommendations was to evaluate and pursue the creation of a Business Improvement District in Uptown. In the State of Montana, a Business Improvement District (BID) is a geographic boundary or area that has chosen to levy an assessment to be used to improve the area within the boundary. These funds cannot be used to replace or duplicate services already provided by the local government. Funds can be used to fund and/or augment existing services to promote the safety, prosperity, security, and general welfare of the inhabitants of the district; are of special benefit to the properties within the district boundary; and assist with tourism, promotion, and marketing of the district.
Examples of how funds are used by other Montana BIDs includes the following: street lighting and wayfinding, accessibility, extra trash and snow removal, landscaping (flowers, weed removal, street trees, tree wells, etc.), festivals and events, programming (sidewalk sales, family nights, pub crawls, art walks, etc.), public art, grants for façade or interior improvements, extra sidewalk power washing, extra bike racks, pedlets, parklets, graffiti removal, outdoor seating, ambassadors, and marketing and promotion.
Goals vary by community but typically include supporting businesses, improving customer and visitor experiences, improving walkability, attracting new businesses and residents, and increasing property values.
In August 2023, we are kicking off a project to evaluate and pursue the creation of a Business Improvement District in Uptown Butte. The Uptown Butte Master Plan Association was awarded a $25,000 grant from Big Sky Trust Fund administered through the Butte Local Development Corporation. The Uptown Butte Master Plan Association is providing $5,000 in donations, and the Butte-Silver Bow Urban Revitalization Agency is contributing $20,000 for a total project cost of $50,000.
Through the Request for Proposal process, Cascadia Management Group of Montana was chosen to assist with each stage in the BID implementation process.
If you have questions, please contact Tracy Worley with Cascadia Management Group at
