RUMFORD – One new tenant is about to move into the River Valley Technology Center, another is negotiating for a move, and at least two others are researching the possibility.

Diane Ray, consultant for the River Valley Technology Center, said during Tuesday afternoon’s board meeting that Western Maine Accounting Services has signed a lease and is renovating a portion of the main floor of the technology center. The company is expected to employ seven to 12 people.

A second business, a dental practice from another part of the state that wants to expand into Western Maine, is studying about 1,700 square feet of another portion of the main floor. If an agreement is reached, the practice will bring seven to 10 jobs to the center.

Ray said the board’s aim is to meet the 40 new job minimum by the end of the year. That requirement was set when a $400,000 community development block grant was given for the development of the tech center. The money was filtered through the town of Mexico.

She, along with several members of the River Valley Technology Center board, visited with a representative of the Department of Economic and Community Development a couple of weeks ago to discuss extending the time to bring 40 new jobs to the center.

Ray said she is making application for a year’s extension, beginning in July; however, she said she hopes the 40-job minimum will be met by the end of the year. Right now, 14 jobs have been created.

She is also working on a grant application for up to $50,000 in state subsidy to help operate the tech center, and a proposal for use of one of the upper tech center floors as a call center.

In other matters, board member Bob Stickney is looking into ways to reduce the annual $30,000 a year electric bill for the century-old building. He said representatives from Central Maine Power Co. are scheduled to inspect the building and make suggestions.

The tech center is about $14,000 in the red because the cost of operating the center is higher than the revenue received for leasing space.

The next board meeting was set for 1 p.m. June 19.