About Building A Better Brattleboro
A not-for-profit organization, BaBB was formally incorporated in July 1998 and received its IRS designation as a 501(c)(3) in May 1999. Also in 1999, BaBB became the Designated Downtown Organization for the Town of Brattleboro. Through this designation, Brattleboro is part of the State of Vermont’s Downtown Program, which provides access to grants, technical assistance and networking opportunities with other Vermont downtowns working to strengthen their central business districts.
Downtown is the heart of Brattleboro, the center of commerce, culture and community life. Its economic strength is critical to the health and well being of the town as a whole. BaBB focuses its efforts on:
1) economic restructuring through assistance to existing businesses and recruitment of new businesses;
2) design which involves shaping and enhancing the physical image of downtown; and
3)promotion of the downtown district to shoppers, area residents, visitors and investors through special events, publications and other image defining programs.
Community volunteers play an enormous role in downtown revitalization. Their work on BaBB’s committees has been crucial to the success of many downtown projects over the past few years. Anyone interested in joining a committee -- Economic Restructuring, Design or Promotion -- is welcomed and encouraged to contact babb@sover.net or 802-257-4886.
Our Mission StatementBuilding A Better Brattleboro's mission is to support and nurture the economic, cultural, residential and educational environment of the Town of Brattleboro with primary emphasis on downtown. A thriving downtown will serve the goals of the entire community.
Stakeholders in the OrganizationConsideration is given to those who have a stake or vested interest in the organization. The following groups were determined to be stakeholders. This finding informed the board considerably with its work plan for the upcoming year.
People who live downtown
The organization will improve their quality of life by helping to promote a cleaner and safer downtown neighborhood.
The organization will help to promote their quality of life by creating a vibrant and exciting environment in the downtown.
The organization will help to promote and develop an environment where a variety of goods and services are readily available and accessible to them. The downtown will be a place where day to day errands can be run.People who work downtown
In addition to the stake that people who live downtown may have in BaBB, people who work downtown may expect that the organization will promote and contribute to the community in such a way that good jobs and fair wages follow.
People who visit downtown
Like residents and people who work downtown it goes without saying that people who visit want a clean and safe experience in a vibrant, dynamic, and unique destination.
To consider downtown Brattleboro as a destination, potential visitors must know that it exists. BaBB must inform potential visitors.
Property owners in the Downtown district
In addition to sharing many of the aforementioned expectations and stake in the organization, property owners are looking for advocacy for a competitive downtown environment that keeps store fronts and commercial space filled with occupants.
Property owners stand to benefit from the link to state programs offered by the organization.
Property owners look for a return on their special assessment dollar investment.
Business Owners in the downtown
Downtown business owners look to BaBB as a promoter of economic activity, and as a promoter of a downtown environment and experience that is conducive to business success.
Business owners have a stake in the organization that promotes the downtown as a viable destination to meet a variety of needs.
The municipality – the town of Brattleboro
The town of Brattleboro has a stake in the downtown organization in that is offers complementary and enhanced programs not afforded by the town budget.
That being said the town ventures to hold a stake in a valued partner working hand in hand towards a vision that can only benefit both parties.Shared interest held by the stakeholders suggest the following types of activities:
Those that promote a clean and safe downtown that is an attractive place to live, work or visit.
Events that high light the artistic, dynamic and unique downtown and larger community environment that exists in the Brattleboro region.
Communication that promotes the downtown locally as well as regionally.