Havre Urban Renewal District (URD)

The City of Havre is working to create an Urban Renewal District (URD) to support revitalization and economic growth in our community. This page provides information about what a URD is, how it works, and access to the Urban Renewal Plan.

What is an Urban Renewal District?

An Urban Renewal District (URD) is a designated area within the city where investments are made to encourage growth, improve infrastructure, and remove barriers to development. Common projects include:

• Upgrading streets, sidewalks, and utilities

• Supporting business development

• Enhancing public spaces

• Addressing blight or underused properties

What a URD Is Not

• A URD does not create new taxes for property owners.

• It is not an additional tax on residents or businesses.

• It does not change property tax rates.

How Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Works

The URD uses a financing tool called Tax Increment Financing (TIF):

1. When the URD is created, the current taxable value of property in the district is set as a “base value.”

2. As properties within the district improve and increase in value, the incremental tax revenue (the difference between the base value and the new value) is set aside in a special fund.

3. These funds are reinvested back into the URD for projects such as infrastructure, redevelopment, and community improvements.

➡️ Important: TIF does not raise taxes. It simply uses the growth in property value within the district to fund improvements.

Why Create a URD?

• To stimulate private investment in underdeveloped or blighted areas

• To fund community improvements without raising taxes

• To encourage economic growth and job creation

• To improve safety, infrastructure, and quality of life for residents

Urban Renewal Plan

You can review the full Urban Renewal Plan to see the proposed boundaries, goals, and projects under consideration.