Community Leadership and Development, Inc. (CLDI) applied to the Downtown Billings Partnership (DBP) for a grant to remodel and expand the former Labor Temple, located at 24 South 29th Street.  The DBP Board considered the application at its September 2016 meeting and agreed to recommend that the City Council approve a $200,000 grant.  The recommendation was based on an estimated investment of about $2.2 million and that it would be a taxable, mixed use project.  After revising the redevelopment plan and increasing its investment estimate, CLDI requested a higher grant amount.  In March 2017, the DBP rejected the request due to concerns that some parts of the project might not be taxable.  The Board reconfirmed its support for the original $200,000 grant and recommends that the City Council approve it.        

The City Council may approve or disapprove the recommendation for a $200,000 grant to CLDI.  If the Council approves the recommendation, the grant will be paid after CLDI completes the project, submits paid invoices and receives a Certificate of Occupancy from the City.    

The downtown Tax Increment Fund has sufficient funds for the project and  second half tax payments should be approximately $1.1 million and will be collected in June. 

The Downtown Billings Partnership Board of Directors recommends that the City Council approve a grant of up to $200,000 to Community Leadership Development, Inc., for remodeling and expanding the former Labor Temple at 24 S. 29th Street.