RUMFORD – A pubic hearing is set for 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 3, to take comments on a federal grant that, if approved, would help clean up the former Diamond Match mill in Peru.

The River Valley Growth Council also wants comments from residents on how to best use the 80,000-square-foot mill.

The hearing takes place in the conference room of the River Valley Technology Center at 60 Lowell St. The regular monthly board meeting begins after the hearing.

Growth council economic developer Scott Christiansen said the grant application for $200,000 must be submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency by Nov. 12. The organization will learn whether the grant has been approved in May. A similar grant application was turned down in August. At that time, the council was encouraged to reapply.

The building was turned over to the growth council a year ago by its most recent owners, the Archibald family of Mexico. It is in one of the area’s state-approved Pine Tree Economic Zones. Certain businesses that locate in a Pine Tree Zone are eligible for a variety of tax incentives and exemptions.

Christiansen said the grant would be used for the removal of the remaining asbestos, to remediate petroleum spills and for other environmentally related cleanups.

He said the cleanup is needed before a new tenant can move into the building.

The growth council seeks potential businesses that might have a use for the building.