RUMFORD – Sen. Susan Collins wants to know how she can help the town with its downtown revitalization plan.
“Every year, I secure some money for the next year,” she said Monday morning before she began a tour of the downtown area and the River Valley Technology Center.
Her interest in the town’s plan to turn itself around may help in that effort.
Town Manager Steve Eldridge said he’s going after $1 million in an urban development bill that would be used to upgrade downtown infrastructure and business facades. He’s also going after another $1 million in federal Environmental Protection Agency money that would be used to extend the town’s water and sewer lines up Wyman Hill, and Community Development Block Grant funds for a variety of projects.
Collins promised help with all efforts.
In the past, she was largely responsible for getting funding to transform a former bag mill into the River Valley Technology Center. She had also helped the town get $1.5 million in federal transportation money that will develop the town’s new business/industrial park off Route 108.
“We’re very fortunate to have our four representatives” in Washington, Eldridge said Tuesday afternoon. “They work so hard for the people of Maine and are responsive to the people. It doesn’t matter what party they are.”
Collins also met with Fire Chief John Woulfe, who explained a plan to develop a policy of mutual aid within the state and with neighboring states. As chairwoman of the Senate’s Homeland Security Committee, Collins is largely responsible for directing funds to emergency agencies.
“Your chief does a good job coming to Washington and straightening me out,” she told several firefighters as she toured the Congress Street fire station.
Collins had last visited Rumford prior to Eldridge’s taking over as town manager last January. Since then, the window frames, door frames, cupola and other woodwork have been painted, and the original wooden doors re-installed at the front of the building.
“I’ve really noticed the improvement at town hall,” she said.
“Rumford’s coming into its own,” said Eldridge.
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