Operating since 2003, the Randolph Area Community Development Corporation (RACDC) has been promoting its downtown area, catching the eyes of not only locals, but tourists too.
The RACDC received its 501-C3 status from the IRS 7 years ago, allowing it to run as an official not-for-profit organization. The RACDC’s 12-member board wanted the corporation to run not only as an organization serving businesses, but one that serves the community as a whole.
“We function partially as a chamber of commerce, but we are involved in other aspects of the community as well,” said Tonia McAllister, executive director.
However, the goal of the corporation goes even further than that.
“The mission of the Randolph Area Community Development Corporation is to facilitate and promote the development of our community by helping achieve the growth of our commercial, industrial, agricultural business sectors, as well as attracting new retail and downtown businesses. We are committed to the enhancement of the general quality of life and appeal of the Randolph area, making it a very desirable place to live,” according to RACDC’s mission statement.
Originally, Randolph had a business association that tried to boost the local economy, but eventually it evolved into the RACDC.
The corporation began with close to 40 businesses involved, and now has 45. McAllister says that even though the number may not have grown by much, the businesses involved have changed over the years.
The RACDC also helps new businesses grow and develop.
“If it wasn’t for the Randolph Area Community Development Corporation I probably wouldn’t be here … she’s (McAllister) has just been a real asset helping get businesses going,” said Lorrie Milliman, co-owner of the newly opened The Pickle Barrel. “RACDC does a lot for Randolph that people don’t even see.”
To improve tourism the RACDC promotes the New York Amish Trail, which in turn helps the local economy prosper.
The development corporation runs mostly off of grants provided by various groups as well as the state. Just recently, the New York State Office of Community Renewal awarded the RACDC a $345,000 grant that will reimburse up to 75 percent of the money spent on any energy upgrades, lighting changes and many other things for businesses and apartments in the downtown area.
“It will effect Main street businesses as well as support all of us (in the community),” McAllister said.
The corporation hosts many different activities and community events throughout the year, including the Country Christmas Festival, which takes place the first weekend in December.
The festival will consist of the usual festivities: a craft show, the festival of trees and Santa Clause will be present for the young and young at heart.
However, there have been many new additions for this year. For the first year, the school will be putting on a secret Christmas play that will have different parts taking place at various businesses throughout Randolph.
The RACDC has extended their Snowflake Walk to not last just during the weekend, but it will run from Nov. 26 through Dec. 18, offering even bigger prizes than years past. The corporation will also be raffling off many Amish-made goods throughout the weekend.
Over the summer, RACDC hosts two major projects: the 39th Annual Arts and Crafts Festival in June and the five-week Weeden Summer Day Camp. The camp costs $20 per week and has children involved in community service activities, arts and crafts projects, plays, talent shows and other fun activities for kids to enjoy. The camp runs four days a week. RACDC offers scholarships to those who may not be able to afford to pay for the camp.
The RACDC believes that it pulls the community together through its various activities. Just this month it participated in “Make-a-Difference Day” that gathered the community together to have neighbor help neighbor on various projects.
A key component of the RACDC is how they go about improving the area.
“There is a great deal of communication amongst all of us (businesses) … communication takes the highest priority,” said Tom Congdon, board president and co-owner of the Randolph Retail Company.
The board meets once a month to oversee the direction of the corporation and determines where it’s headed and what types of programs it believes McAllister should be focusing on.
Businesses can join the RACDC for an annual fee of $50.00.
The RACDC is currently working on developing a community center with an aquatic component, McAllister said. Members believe that the center could be a reality within the next five years.
“I look forward to seeing things change for the positive,” Condong said.
For more information on the RACDC or how to join, call 716-358-9701 or visit www.randolphny.net.
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