Livingston Business Improvements District Inc.

“Reviewed by executive director and board chair prior to filing.”

“UPON REQUEST”

“The mission of the lbid is to facilitate an improved business climate in our historic downtown, which is heavily dependent on tourism. The vision of lbid is to be one of the motivating forces behind a successful business district which preserves our historic downtown, enriches our culture, and continues to improve and maintain the physical appearance and aesthetics of the district in order to continue to attract long-term and viable busineses, invigorate community activity, and enhance visitor experiences. The lbid also improves the functional characteristics of the downtown business district, such as enhancing the streetscape, conducting the maintenance that the city of livingston does not have the funds to perform, and develop a strong marketing program to advertise the area. Historic downtown livingston is a key atrraction to visitors and locals alike.”

“Board of directors are not compensated.”

“The lbid was formed in 2011 after a majority (60%+) of the downtown business owners signed a petition in favor of creating the district, which was then approved by the city commission. In fiscal 2021, by vote of the city commission, the lbid was renewed for an additional 10 years, expiring in march 2031. Property owners within the district pay an additional tax to fund the purposes of the lbid. In july 2020 lbid was awarded a contract by the city of livingston to oversee the explore livingston coalition, a partnership with the livingstson destination management organization (dmo/cvb) and tourism business improvement district (tbid) which share resources, an executive director, office and overlapping missions to build a sustainable year-round economy in livingston while providing strategic stewardship to preserve quality of life and place for residents, and quality of experience for visitors. The coalition partnership management include the three organization's books as one master budget reporting to the irs. Each organization operates under the direction of their separate boards of directors, by-laws, missions, district and state regulations, and audits as required but share bookkeeping records and resources. All marketing plans and budgets are reviewed and approved annually by each organizatio's board of directors and the livingston city commission, with the dmo/cvb also overseen by the state of montana tourism advisory council and the montana department of commerce, which also performs annual audits. The primary programs funded by the lbid include marketing and district business support, maintenance of sidewalk trash cans, graffiti mitigation, installing and maintaining flower baskets, holiday decorations, and a banner program to advertise local nonprofits and events. This past year we co-hosted the statemwaide montana main street conference for the first time ever and are in the second year of a popular downtown oktoberfest. Lbid works with partners for a light up livingston event that draws more than 5,000 people to downtown. Lbid fundraised for new low water downtown flower baskets to decorate the district while minimizing labor costs and water usage. Lbid convened an educational "who does what downtown", inviting a dozen groups, from the city public works to the chief of police to the gallery association, to present their areas of responsibilities in the district. Lbid partnered with business-led promotion of small business saturday with a popular scavenger hunt to bring people downtown.”