There are reasons for optimism with the news that the MeadWestvaco mill in Rumford has been sold.

The new owner, Cerberus Capital Management, says it will honor the mill’s labor agreements and keep all the current employees.

But there are also reasons to be wary. According to Deutsche Bank forest product analyst Mark Wilde, the 900,000 acres of timberland included in the deal along with all five of MeadWestvaco’s mills was likely the most attractive part of the package for investors. None of that timberland is in Maine. And, he said, the Maine mill has been losing money and faces tough competition from a new facility in Minnesota.

We have no crystal ball and cannot read what the future might hold for the mill and the people who depend upon it for a job. But it’s not enough to just wait and hope for the best. The mill is the cornerstone of the economy in Rumford and throughout the River Valley. It employs about 1,100 workers, who produce 500,000 tons of coated paper a year.

The community is best served by not waiting for bad news before acting. Even before the sale of the mill was announced, there were signs that the towns of the River Valley understand the challenges ahead.

On Tuesday night, residents and leaders from several towns came together to discuss cooperation, interdependence and regionwide problems. There has long been animosity between the leadership of some communities and their neighbors, but there is opportunity.

Scars built over years take time to heal, but the motivation for action and the chance for new relations is apparent. Both Mexico and Rumford have new town managers who bring clean slates to talk about regionalization and joint economic development.

The time to act is now, while the River Valley can still be proactive. The region cannot wait and just hope for the best.