RUMFORD - Townspeople were disappointed in Thursday's announcement that casino backers had picked Oxford for their proposed resort.

"It's quite disappointing, but what are you going to do?" Board of Selectmen Chairman J. Arthur Boivin said.

Rumford selectmen had endorsed locating the casino in the area if Maine voters OK'd it next month and area voters supported it.

Boivin said he understood why Las-Vegas based Olympia Gaming chose Oxford: because of its proximity to the turnpike. However, he believes Rumford would still benefit.

"We'll see a slight amount of benefit from it involving a few more jobs and they'll create some tours that will hit that casino, so there could be some good economic benefits," Boivin said.

Town Manager Len Greaney was dismayed by the news but not willing to admit Rumford couldn't become a host site.

"I'm disappointed that we didn't have a specific set of visits here by Olympia to talk to our officials," Greaney said.

"Our selectmen voted 3-2 to support it and that was later superseded by a 4-0 vote. I haven't ruled out the possibility that as this goes forward, that if the people of Rumford support it in November and a specific location is not yet sited, then we may still have a chance. If they haven't signed a contract, I haven't thrown in the towel yet.

"That's why it's all-important if the Rumford people would like it, then they have to show support for it, not just the officials," he said.

Dave Duguay of Byron said he would have liked to have seen it in Rumford.

"I wish it was going to be here, if it passes. We could definitely use the jobs," he said.

Rep. Sheryl Briggs, D-Mexico, a former Norway resident, said Thursday evening that she, too, was sad to see Oxford get it.

"I'm disappointed that it's not closer to our area, because it should be more centrally located to our area," she said.

"Although it is not that far away, people will have the opportunity to relocate closer or commute. I think that is a good location, though, because of the business district, its economic development and how it is growing for them. They have more opportunities for more employees.

"I'm thankful that it is in Oxford County and I hope it passes, because we are in so desperate of a need for economic development in western Maine, so it is good that it will be creating more jobs and more growth in our area," she said.

She said the location is prime, with its proximity to Oxford Plains Speedway, the Maine Turnpike, Route 26 from Bethel and central and northern New Hampshire and Route 121 from Auburn.

"I hope the state will support it. ... I've heard a lot of good things about the one in Bangor, so I really think it can work in Western Maine, too. I'd like to see us give it a try," Briggs said.