RUMFORD – The largest of the seven Applied Technology Centers scattered around the state got its official start Monday afternoon when papers were finally signed to begin construction.

By May of next year, the River Valley will have a technology center that will train people in precision metal work and provide low-cost space for fledgling businesses.

“The technology center project has had its ups and downs. Today is a good day, we’re actually going to renovate this building,” said RVTC Director Norman MacIntyre. “Everyone here has and will have a fundamental role in this facility.”

About two dozen people attended the historic signing including representatives from U.S. Sens. Olympia Snowe’s and Susan Collins’ offices and from U.S. Rep. Michael Michaud’s office. Also there were the director of the statewide Applied Technology Centers Program, local and state officials, and several members of the RVTC and River Valley Growth Council boards. All played important roles in either coming up with the idea or getting the money needed to make the center a reality.

Unable to be present was Joseph Derouche, who was the founding chairman of the technology center, chairman of the River Valley Growth Council and whose idea it was to bring one of the state-supported tech centers to the River Valley.

“Without his work, much would never have started,” said MacIntyre.

The RVTC board got final word just a few days ago that all the money needed to transform a 16,000-square-foot portion of a former bag mill in downtown Rumford had been achieved. Virtually all of the funding came from the federal or state governments.

CCB of Westbrook was the low bidder for the $2.47 million renovation project.

Don Starr, the company’s president, said his firm has not renovated a mill before. It is currently transforming the former St. Dom’s School in Portland into housing units.

Newell Porter, project manager for CCB, said work will likely start within a week. Several local subcontractors will work on the project including Rumford’s William Porter Contractors. A preconstruction meeting will take place Aug. 14.

Phil Helgerson, director of the state’s Applied Technology Development Centers program, said the River Valley site is the last of the seven to start construction. Similar centers in Orono, which focuses on information technology, and South Portland, which focuses on environmental technology, are up and running. The others are in the process of being built.

The River Valley project was more complex, he said. Not only will it be larger than any of the other centers, with 65,000 square feet, but it will also be the only technology center to offer training as well as a site for small businesses. The work to begin by CCB is for Phase I of the overall project. It includes the infrastructure for the entire mill complex and renovation of the second floor.

Bruce Bryant, chairman of the technology center board, said efforts will soon begin for finding money for Phase II.

“This is the beginning of diversifying the economy in Western Maine,” he said.

A spokesman for U.S. Sen. Susan Collins said the creation of the technology center is an example of sustainable economic development. “It will provide people with an opportunity to stay and live in their communities,” said William Card.

Collins has been a supporter of the proposed center, which will focus on the metal trades since Derouche first introduced the idea several years ago.

eadams@sunjournal.com

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