About BID

The Downtown Business Improvement District of Missoula enhances the vitality of Downtown Missoula by facilitating commerce, promoting investment, enhancing streetscapes, conducting maintenance and improving security and safety for the Downtown Business District, the City of Missoula, and the people of Montana. The BID is governed by a seven member Board of Trustees and receives its funding through an assessment of the property owners (ratepayers) in the district. There are more than 542 property parcels in the BID boundary and communication with the Ratepayers is essential.

BID Staff

Rod Austin


Director of Operations
Rod Austin joined the BID staff in May as the first Director of Operations and with a long history in Downtown Missoula he has hit the ground running. He is responsible for program development and management for the Downtown BID and will play an integral role in the implementation of the Downtown Master Plan and the proposed renewal of the BID. Rod has been a member of the Missoula Downtown Association Board of Directors since 2000, serving on the Executive Committee for six years and as president in 2003. He was selected by his peers as Board Member of the Year for 2007. Rod has also been a member of the Missoula Parking Commission Board of Directors since 2006. Rod previously worked as the Assistant General Manager of the Missoula Osprey Professional Baseball Team and was employed in the Montana banking industry for 26 years, serving most recently as the branch manager for Sterling Savings Bank from 2003-2007. Rod can be reached at the Downtown BID office at 406-728-1140.

Laurie Johnson


Downtown Ambassador
Laurie has lived in Missoula for more than 40 years and is very familiar with the Downtown district. She worked for many years as a teacher and a coach, and she was involved in the Reserve Deputy Sheriff program for four years. From these positions, Laurie boasts the talent to instruct and assist visitors and the ability to secure our Downtown streets.

Rick Stephens


Downtown Ambassador
Rick Stephens joined the BID in March 2008 to fill the second Downtown Ambassador position. He enrolled at The University of Montana in 1967 before entering the United States Navy in 1971. He served in the Navy from 1971 to 1975 taking him all over the world. Rick brings a unique perspective and understanding to the position as he built, owned and operated New Era Bicycles, currently Hunting & Gathering at 741 S. Higgins, from 1982 to 1998. He served as Vice Chairman of the Southside Neighborhood Alliance and has served on the East County Missoula Sewer Board since 1994.

BID Board of Directors

Dan Cederberg
At-Large Representative
Term: June 1, 2009-May 31, 2013
Ellen Buchanan
City of Missoula Representative
Term: June 1, 2006-May 31, 2010
Carma Jean Gilligan
Zone 1
Term: June 1, 2007-May 31, 2011
Rich Huffman
Zone 2
Term: June 1, 2009-May 31, 2013
Charlie Beaton, Vice-Chairman
South of the Clark Fork River
Term: June 1, 2007-May 31, 2011
Alan Newell
Greater than 20,000 square feet
Term: June 1, 2008-May 31, 2012
Tim France, Chairman
Less than 20,000 square feet
Term: June 1, 2008-May 31, 2012