RUMFORD – Rosie Bradley expected some responses to the call for a short, snappy slogan to identify the region.

But she never expected as many as she got.

By the cut-off date last week, more than 50 ideas flooded her office via e-mail, the postal service and walk-ins.

Now, the task comes to sort through these ideas and narrow down the number to the 10 best.

“We want to describe our region with a slogan that will identify us,” said Bradley, executive secretary for the River Valley Growth Council.

The Strategic Plan Marketing Committee of the RVGC will do just that by late June.

Then, the 10 finalist slogans will appear in the local newspapers where residents of the 10-town region will vote for their favorite.

The most popular slogan will then be used on Growth Council stationary, in newspaper releases and guidebooks. Bradley said the Council, with the support of other regional organizations, is also working with the Maine Department of Transportation to try to get directional signs on the Maine Turnpike that read “River Valley Recreational Area.”

The slogan, along with other activities now underway by the Growth Council, aims to solidify the region as one economic area.

It is part of the Council’s long-term economic development plan.

The winner of the slogan contest will receive $50.

eadams@sunjournal.com