The advent of Community Improvement Districts more than 30 years ago unfurled an engine of growth and development that has come to represent more than $1.5 billion in taxes levied, producing more than $5 billion in infrastructure investments, new parks and greenspace, public safety, traffic mitigation projects, and landscape improvements.
Not only are CIDs powerful drivers of economic development, but they are also valuable in strengthening the unique character of each metro Atlanta area. By allowing a CID to invest in the projects that the community and local government prioritizes, the developments reflect the values and personality of each area, serving as a counterpoint to “one size fits all” development and growth strategies; they maintain a sense of place.
This self-investment has positioned Atlanta’s 27-and-counting CIDs to receive locally-raised tax dollars, but also grants and matching funds from state and federal agencies that see community support as a beacon of opportunity for investment in smart growth. Through successful leveraging, CIDs procure significantly larger pools of funding to support development initiatives.