RUMFORD – The first manufacturing tenant at the River Valley Technology Center moved into the newly renovated facility last week.

And it’s just the kind of business that the tech center was hoping for.

RVTC Director Norman MacIntyre said at Tuesday’s board meeting that Northwest Precision Inc. has moved several huge computerized milling and lathe machines into about 30 percent of the space designated for fledgling businesses.

The small, specialty precision metal company, owned by Jon Cantin and originally housed in Roxbury, has also leased one of the office spaces at the tech center. Northwest Precision employee Travis Adams said work should begin by the end of the week.

MacIntyre said the two-person company manufactures parts for such things as snowmobiles and telecommunications equipment.

The small business hopes to double its employees in a year or so.

Moving into the tech center allows small businesses to get up and running by sharing space and resources in what is called an incubator system. The rent is low, allowing the company to invest resources in the growth of its business.

Under the system, small companies can remain at the site for two years. If sufficient growth has been achieved, then these companies leave the tech center to expand into their own buildings or other sites.

MacIntyre knows of a couple of other small manufacturing businesses that are considering a move into the tech center.

Meanwhile, virtually all of the office space available at the tech center has been leased. Among the tenants now located at the tech center are the River Valley Growth Council, the Maine Career Center, Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments and the River Valley Chamber of Commerce. The training center portion of the RVTC is also used by several businesses or organizations.

If other businesses want to move in, MacIntyre said some office space can be reconfigured.

Also in the works are plans to create a bioproducts-related research center, known as fractionation, on the fourth floor. MacIntyre and RVGC developer Scott Christiansen are in the process of applying for a variety of grants that would be used to renovate the floor. Several in-state, out-of-state and Canadian partners are involved in the creation of the fractionation center, a long-term enterprise that would transform readily available wood products into chemicals and other products.

MacIntyre said the RVTC has received a Maine Technical Institute grant of $78,000 that will be used to help design the renovation of the fourth floor.