City Council approved the creation of the South Billings Boulevard Urban Renewal District (SBBURD) on December 8, 2008. During and shortly after the creation of the District, the Southwest Corridor Neighborhood Task Force took on the responsibility of identifying priority projects for the District that would qualify for tax increment funding. The task of project prioritization and the advisory role has since transferred to the recently formed South Billings Urban Renewal Association (SBURA), a non-profit organization with representation from the businesses and residents in the SBBURD and the Southwest Corridor Neighborhood Task Force. The SBURA will act as advisory body to the City Council with regard to expenditures of tax increment funds and administration of the SBURD. The SBURA is composed of voluntary members from the District and the initial Board of Directors consists of five members recently appointed by the current Board chair. The following members comprise the Board of Directors:

Shawn Hanser, President, Owner, Hanser Automotive and Wrecker, business owner representative
Floyd Martin, Vice President, Residential owner
Dave Duke, General Manager, Cabela’s, business owner representative
Richard Deis, Residential owner
Tom Ruschkewicz, Chairman, Southwest Corridor Task Force, Task Force representative

The South Billings Urban Renewal Association was formed for the purpose of “unified promotions, advocacy, revitalization and redevelopment” of the South Billings Boulevard Urban Renewal District according to its Articles of Incorporation. The Association will be of great service and benefit to the businesses and residents of the District and for that reason, the City Council recognizes the members of its Board of Directors.

None.

Staff recommends that Council recognize the South Billings Urban Renewal Association as the advisory body to the Council on matters of tax increment fund expenditures and administration for the South Billings Boulevard Urban Renewal District and the initial members of its Board of Directors:

Shawn Hanser, President, Owner, Hanser Automotive and Wrecker, business owner representative
Floyd Martin, Vice President, Residential owner
Dave Duke, General Manager, Cabela’s, business owner representative
Richard Deis, Residential owner
Tom Ruschkewicz, Chairman, Southwest Corridor Task Force, Task Force representative