UPTOWN BUTTE

Business Improvement District

Prosperity

Forging

Drawing strength from Butte's legendary mining heritage, we’re forging a new era of prosperity, fostering community, and igniting opportunity in the bustling heart of our business district.

Brought to you by a dedicated group of Uptown Butte business owners, property owners, professionals, and engaged citizens who have been working diligently over the last few years to listen to the issues and needs of Uptown and craft a plan to move these improvements forward. You can learn about that process and review the plan at www.uptownbuttemasterplan.com.

Interested in understanding the Uptown Butte Partnership Model, learn more here. Participate in the conversation.

Our purpose is to improve Uptown safety and cleanliness, facilitate business retention and recruitment through strategic marketing, and secure public and private investment in buildings and infrastructure.
— Shanna Adams

Property Owners who believe in Uptown butte BID

Join us in shaping the future of our community!

By signing this petition, you're not just adding your name—you're taking an active role in preserving the legacy and prosperity of our town.

Safe, clean, thriving… I’m in!

THE VISION FOR UPTOWN BUTTE

Once approved, The Uptown Butte BID will take effect for fall 2024-2025, to address specific needs identified in the Uptown Butte Master Plan.

(Use sliders to preview what Uptown Butte will look like after successful implementation of Uptown Butte Master Plan)

District Map

The Uptown Butte Business Improvement District (BID) brings together a diverse collection of business and institutional properties to make the area safer, cleaner, and more vibrant for everyone who lives in, works in, or visits Uptown Butte neighborhoods.

See other maps from the Uptown Butte Master Plan.

Are you a business owner in the District?

If you want to know more about how the BID can improve your business, we’d like to explain it.

Are you a property owner in the District?

Curious about how the BID will benefit you, we’d like to help you understand.

For a thriving tomorrow. OPT in!

Imagine a bustling downtown brimming with potential, yet struggling to overcome basic challenges, stuck in a rut, and unable to fully thrive. Without a Business Improvement District (BID), this vision of revitalization remains just out of reach. Failing to gather enough support for the BID not only stops important improvement projects but also denies access to the collective resources and expertise crucial for progress. As a result, the downtown area loses its charm, falls behind, and life for locals, businesses, and visitors stays the same. That future is something we can't afford. Let's seize this opportunity and ensure our community thrives.

Please sign the petition included in your packet and return it by July 31, 2024

a woman holding a frame that says Uptown Butte BID "we opted in"

meet the steering committee

The Uptown Butte Business Improvement District was created to address the challenges of economic development, access, and economic prosperity within the district. Your BID serves as an advocate and service provider for property owners in the district. Our purpose is to improve uptown safety and cleanliness, facilitate business retention and recruitment through strategic marketing, and secure public and private investment in buildings and infrastructure.

Understanding the value of a BID

  • Business Improvement Districts, or “BIDs” are a defined area within which property owners pay an assessment to fund projects and services that directly benefit the district that are not covered by municipal services. Since the 1970s, well-maintained BIDs have been catalysts for urban revitalization and sustained economic growth.

    What’s a BID video

  • Increased Property Values: Enhanced public spaces and better maintenance often lead to increased property values.

    Attracting New Tenants and Customers: Improved aesthetics and safety can draw more businesses and visitors, boosting foot traffic and sales.

    Community and Economic Development: A well-maintained and attractive district encourages investment and development, fostering a vibrant local economy.

    Collaboration and Influence: As a property owner, you will have a say in the projects and services funded by the BID, ensuring that the initiatives align with your interests and needs.

  • Projects and services are determined by the property owners and can include:

    • Enhanced street cleaning and maintenance

    • Beautification efforts such as landscaping and public art

    • Improved lighting and safety measures

    • Marketing and promotional activities to attract visitors and businesses

    • Special events and activities to foster a sense of community

    • Advocate for the needs of businesses in the Uptown district

  • Uptown Butte is a place of history and possibilities. The historic uptown corridor has the potential to establish itself as a destination city, as well as to draw in new businesses and additional investment activity. One of the implementation initiatives of the Uptown Butte Master Plan, approved and adopted in the spring of 2022, is to establish a BID to elevate Uptown into a cleaner, safer, more accessible, and more vibrant destination. BIDs are common tools for community improvements and added services. Many Montana cities (Missoula, Kalispell, Helena, Great Falls, Billings, Bozeman, Livingston, Hamilton) have established BIDs that are engaged in place-making activities.

  • The Uptown Butte Business Improvement District (UBBID) will enhance the vitality of Uptown Butte by enhancing economic vitality, streetscapes, maintenance, improving security and safety. The UBBID will be governed by a seven-member Board of Trustees and receive funding through an assessment of the property owners (ratepayers) in the Uptown Butte district.

    The UBBID development began in 2022 when the Uptown Butte Master Plan was adopted with the goal of enhancing the vitality of Uptown Butte with economic development, promoting investment, enhancing streetscapes, maintenance, and improving security and safety for the Uptown Butte District, the City of Butte, and her local and non-local visitors.

    In 2024, the goal for adoption pursuant to MCA 7-12-11 Business Improvement Districts receives funding through an assessment of the property owners in the district. As of 2024, there are 249 property owners within the UBBID contributing to the tax base. The proposed budget for enhancement, facilitation, promotion, and maintenance activities in the district is approximately $212,000 per year.

  • The UBBID will be governed by a seven-member Board of Trustees and receive funding through an assessment of the property owners (ratepayers) in the Uptown Butte district.

    The creation of the board will come from the recommendation of the Uptown Butte Master Plan Association and appointed by the Butte Silver Bow Council of Commissioners. The terms of service, management, membership terms of the board is directed through Montana Code 7-12-1121.

  • Unlike the Chamber of Commerce or other associations, a BID is a legal mechanism for property owners to collectively fund supplemental projects and services like snow removal, lighting, landscaping and beautification, trash pickup, etc. It provides a dedicated revenue stream to execute the improvements approved by the board. While it cannot replace currently funded services, it can expand or enhance them.

    7-12-1142. Governing body not to decrease public services. The governing body may not decrease the level of public services in the district existing prior to the creation of the district unless the services at the same time are decreased throughout the jurisdictional area of the governing body, nor may it transfer the financial burden of providing those services to the district. The governing body may not discriminate in the provision of publicly funded services between areas included in such district and areas not so included.

    History: En. Sec. 17, Ch. 656, L. 1985.

Local Partnerships

A special thank you to our local partners who are helping us to ensure the Uptown Butte Business Improvement District achieves its mission to create a safe, cleaner, thriving, and prosperous future for its community, businesses, and investors.

Events & Upcoming Meetings

Join us at an upcoming meeting or event were you can meet the engaged community of residents and business owners supporting the formation of our Uptown Butte Business Improvement District.