RUMFORD – Nearly two dozen River Valley Growth Council board members, including several new ones, held their monthly meeting for the first time in the River Valley Technology Center Wednesday night.

The offices of the RVGC, RVTC and River Valley Chamber of Commerce moved to the new site almost two weeks ago after several years of planning.

“We’re trying to grow this area, and this building’s vision is to bring new jobs to the valley, no matter to which town,” said Joseph Derouche, president of the council.

To help bring jobs and economic diversity to the region, the council’s economic director, Scott Christiansen, outlined several projects and grant prospects currently in the works.

U.S. Rep. Michael Michaud is sponsoring a $40 million bill for projects in New York, New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine. If approved, the bill would provide funds next year to help Maine development councils with new technology, economic diversification and innovative projects, said Christiansen. The money would likely compliment plans for a proposed highway from eastern Maine to northern New York state.

Derouche said it is critical that the RVGC have a member on the East-West Highway Committee. Members appointed David Errington, the Mexico Public Works Department superintendent to represent them.

Christiansen also updated the board on the status of the former woodworking mill in Peru. A federal Environmental Protection Agency grant for $200,000 did not come through as expected. If it had, the council would have used the funds to clean up the site in anticipation of development. A four- to five-year plan has been in the works to renovate and clean up the mill.

Some funds are coming in from the sale of the mill’s floor boards. Christiansen said the council will decide what steps to take with the mill next month.

He also said more of his time is being taken with work on the RVTC’s and RVGC’s biomass renewable energy and conversion projects, and less time on direct, short-term economic development. He said a plan will be presented to the board in August outlining potential solutions.

The board welcomed new members Brenda Gross, a Hanover selectman; Craig Zurhorst, an alternate member from Andover; Jim Rinaldo, newly elected selectman from Rumford; and Marlene Gile, a representative from Mexico and Maine Career Center employee.

Resignations were accepted from former Rumford Selectman Eugene Boivin and Rumford Town Manager Robert Welch, who has also resigned from his manager’s position as of the end of the year.