Join us: It’s where we want to be!

The Chamber is now 98 years old.  In 1995, the name of the Chamber was changed from the Rumford Chamber of Commerce to the River Valley Chamber of Commerce to better reflect the membership and surrounding towns and communities that it served.  It was founded in December 12, 1912 with the goal: to secure new industries, to enhance and develop industries already here, and to promote and develop the resources of the town and surrounding vicinities.  By 1920, 125 businessmen were active members of the Chamber of Commerce.
  The River Valley Chamber of Commerce today represents 10 towns:  Andover, Byron, Canton, Carthage, Dixfield, Hanover, Mexico, Peru, Roxbury, and Rumford. 

Our mission statement is as follows:
· The River Valley Chamber of Commerce is your voice – leading you and your business to professional growth and prosperity here in the Western Mountains of Maine.  

  We need YOU, each and every one of you, to help us build a better tomorrow by investing in YOUR Chamber today! 
You may ask: What’s in it for me today? The benefits are numerous:
· You get representation and a voice in the business community;
· Business referrals when we refer member businesses in response to numerous inquiries;
· Community involvement and the opportunity to become actively involved in area events such as Christmas In The Valley, EXPO, Fall Foliage River Run, Stash of Cash drawings, the Annual Dinner, Easter Egg Hunt, Golf Tournament, Ribbon Cuttings and Business After Hours;
· Marketing promotion / exposure for your business through listing in the Chamber directories, on the Chamber Web site, and through sponsorship of Chamber events;
· Group benefits like participation in the new health insurance opportunity in partnership with Anthem Blue Cross for our renewing and new members.

· Learning opportunities like the Lunch and Learn Seminars we offer in cooperation with the River Valley Growth Council and Technology Center on the third Wednesday each month where you learn important skills for money and business management while enjoying a catered lunch;
· Mailing and inquiry lists via free access to our mailing list to Chamber members;
· Numerous low cost advertising opportunities, kiosk, business directory, hospitality guide, relocation packets, Info Center, Web page banners, newsletter inserts, etc.

The benefits of membership are numerous and everyone benefits when the area thrives and grows. There is strength in numbers, as Thomas Jefferson stated, “United we stand and divided we fall.”  I once heard a fable that explains the concept of unity thus, a wise old man in order to teach children the value of unity, had them try and break a single arrow, then two arrows together, then three, until eventually the bundle of arrows was great enough that they could not be broken.  We all need to put our personal differences aside and unite and work together to promote and grow the River Valley area.  The River Valley Chamber board of directors looks forward to working with you in achieving this. Together, we can make a difference.