The Richmond Area Business Association (RABA) was established in 1989 by a group of dedicated local business people. The purpose was to provide support, structure, and a unified voice for the area businesses, with a focus on making a positive contribution to the local community. While our membership has grown, our focus has  remained largely unchanged. Each year we provide a college scholarship to an area student planning to study business, sponsor candidates’ forums, a Town Wide Open House, educational seminars, and special interest groups including one on e-Commerce. These are only a few of the many activities and events sponsored by the Association.
The RABA is a volunteer organization; as such our members volunteer their time working through various committees to make Richmond a better place to live and work. Richmond and its surrounding towns and villages comprise a vibrant business community, yet still maintain the small Vermont town atmosphere. The towns of Richmond, Bolton, Huntington, and the village areas of Hanksville, Huntington Center, Lower Village Huntington, West Bolton, Bolton Valley and Jonesville have over three hundred businesses including small, home-based businesses - some even have a global customer base. Regardless of size, businesses choose to reside in the area due to its strong sense of community.
Core activities and benefits
Monthly business and networking meetings give members the opportunity to affect RABA activities, direction, and purpose. Our benefits include: - Member-to-member discounts.
- Special meeting such as the July 2003 barbecue and the November 2003 RABA Strategic Planning meeting.
- The holiday party in early December is a terrific opportunity to have some fun and network with other RABA members and local community leaders.
- RABA sponsors the Richmond Town Wide Open House in the fall. RABA members have special advertising rates in all event marketing materials.
- On the RABA website, members are listed in the directory and periodically are listed as a Featured Business. RABA members may list events in the News and Calendar sections.
- RABA members are listed in the printed Member’s Directory that is mailed to over 2,700 households in the Richmond area.
- Preference in RABA special interest groups such as the e-Commerce SIG activities and special admission fee to RABA sponsored educational seminars.
- RABA runs a monthly ¼ page ad in The Times Ink that advertises RABA meetings, special events, and features member businesses on a rotating basis.
Community activities sponsored by the RABA
- RABA sponsors and moderates candidates forums.
- Donations to non-profits meeting the guidelines of the RABA.
- Santa Claus visits Richmond each year to the delight of hundreds of children.
- The information kiosk at Volunteer’s Green is maintained by the RABA.
- RABA annually awards a $1,000 scholarship to an area high school graduate planning to pursue further education focusing on business.
- RABA periodically organizes and hosts seminars and workshops on a variety of topics.
- RABA website and directory lists events and area town government resources.
Member-to-member benefits
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