What is a CID and why should you care?
12/13/2011 - By Dave Emanuel What is a CID and why should you care?
A Community Improvement District, commonly called a CID, is an organization that is comprised of commercial property owners within a specific geographic. These property owners voluntarily agree to participate and impose a self-tax to fund CID operations. A CID is most commonly formed as a means of redeveloping and revitalizing the area in which its members own property. Gwinnett County currently has four CIDs; Evermore, Gwinnett Place, Gwinnett Village and Lilburn.
At first glance, it might appear that CIDs are largely self-serving because the improvements they make largely benefit their members in the form of increased business and higher property values. However, an improvement in commercial areas invariably leads to a better image for the entire area, including surrounding residential sections. Improved commercial districts also attract up-scale businesses, which have a beneficial effect on area image and expand the range of locally available products and services.
To put the question “Why should you care?” into perspective, picture the landscape as you drive along the last few miles of highway before turning into your residential area. Would you rather pass a seemingly endless stretch of abandoned businesses, used car dealers, fast food restaurants, title pawn shops and check-cashing businesses, or would you prefer a mix that includes apparel stores, fine food restaurants, upscale retailers and banks?
