Business Improvement District (BID)

What is the BID?

The Downtown Billings Business Improvement District (BID) is a special assessment district in which downtown property owners have voted twice to initiate, manage and finance services above and beyond those typically provided by the city. Established in 2005 and renewed in 2015, the BID, is funded and managed by downtown property owners. A City Council appointed Board of Directors oversees the non-profit organization dedicated to creating a safe, clean, and inviting place to live, work, and play.

Click to view the 2025 Billings BID Magazine

BID programs and services are funded by a special assessment billed to property owners within the district. The Downtown Billings BID is supported by municipal properties as well as private sector properties. All city, county and parking properties invest in the BID and its initiatives. Assessments are decided upon by the BID’s Board of Directors. The City of Billings assists with the collection of the special assessment, which in turn, is distributed directly to the BID. The BID receives 100% of the money collected.

The downtown Billings BID works tirelessly to deliver a clean, safe, and memorable experience through the BID Street Team, the Downtown Cooperative Safety Program, and the Downtown Billings Events.

2025 Petition to renew the Business Improvement District

The BID renewal process

In accordance with Title 7, Chapter 12, Part 11. Business Improvement Districts, of the Montana Code Annotated 2024, the BID is renewed every 10 years through a petition of support signed in favor by the properties within the district boundaries. With the BID’s expanded workplan and initiatives we are confident the BID will once again have a successful renewal.

The BID’s first renewal occurred in 2015, where property owners returned well over 60% approval, showing a strong support for the BID.

The BID Boundaries

The existing BID boundary generally encompasses about 57 blocks, including an area bounded by St. Vincent Healthcare to the North, North Park and the First Interstate Bank Ops Center to the East, South Park to the South, and 32^nd Street to the West. There are two defined ‘zones’ within the BID boundary. The larger of the two is the “Safe Zone”, the area in which the property owners fund the BID Cooperative Safety Program that sponsors three fulltime Billings Police Officers and the Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) program. The property owners within the smaller “Clean and Safe Zone” (outlined in the image below in green) additionally fund the work of the BID Street Team (e.g. Sidewalk clean up and snow plowing, pedestrian trashcan upkeep, street level graffiti removal, flower basket program, public art projects, Public Restroom maintenance). The “Clean and Safe Zone” is approximately 20 blocks with eight miles of sidewalk.

The BID Street Team

The BID Street Team is one of the most visible elements of the BID with a measurable impact on the Clean and Safe Zone. Through maintenance and downtown operations, holiday decorations, public art, and event support, the BID Street Team can be seen working seven days a week to create a vibrant and welcoming downtown experience. It is not uncommon to see a member of the BID Street Team handing out parking tokens, giving directions, providing a personal escort, helping a business owner move a heavy item, help tow-out cars on especially snowy days, or helping an at-need individual find a resource agency. The team’s motto of “better than it was” is reflected over and over in their committed to achieving a higher standard in the delivery of services offered in the BID work plan