The council hopes to reach their goal of $22,500
by April 15.
RUMFORD – A recently launched individual and small business fund-raising drive has so far netted the River Valley Growth Council nearly $3,500.
The figure was announced at last week’s monthly meeting.
“We’ve had some really nice comments,” said RVGC President Joseph Derouche.
The council’s Board of Directors hope the goal of $22,500 will be met by April 15.
The drive to raise money to operate the four-person office is part of the council’s overall fund-raising program that includes receiving money from the River Valley towns and from the area’s larger businesses.
“This is such an opportunity for people to support us. There are so many grants that we need a greater level of support (for staff). We’re being successful in getting these grants and that’s why we’re fund-raising,” he said.
Most successful state and federal grants require some kind of match and as well as a huge amount of time and energy by the RVGC staff. Money received from grants must be used for a specific project and can’t be used to operate the office, he added.
In a related matter, the board authorized a $25,000 line of credit with Bangor Savings Bank to cover any cash flow problems that may arise until municipal funding for the organization comes through.
Also at last week’s meeting, the board agreed to start selling the flooring at the former Diamond Match mill in Peru. Up to 60,000 square feet was authorized for sale. Money raised will go toward bringing the former mill in compliance with Department of Environmental Protection regulations.
The mill is one of the eight sites in the River Valley area that has been designated as a Pine Tree Zone. Such a designation provides eligible businesses that move into one of the sites with a variety of tax incentives and exemptions.
The board also approved spending up to $1,800 for an engineering study that will determine whether the structure of the building will be affected by the removal of the flooring.
eadams@sunjournal.com
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