RUMFORD — The River Valley Growth Council/Technology Center has received a $20,000 grant from the Maine Department of Health and Human Services to help finish filling the center with health care businesses.

Administrative Assistant Beverly Crosby said two spaces remain in the center. The first floor is occupied by Community Dental, Child Development Services, and the Maine Career Center. She said two other medical/social service entities have indicated interest in moving into the site.

With most of the first floor filled, she said all operating costs for the tech center are covered. What isn’t, is staffing for the growth council/tech center.

Council Chairman Rich Allen said sufficient funds are available for staffing for about a year. By then, he hopes that area towns and perhaps some businesses will contribute money for the work of the council.

Crosby said council board members began discussions with Rumford selectmen Thursday night. They plan to meet with Peru selectmen Aug. 9, Dixfield selectmen Aug. 23, and Roxbury selectmen Aug. 24.

She said growth council members plan to reopen the lines of communication with the River Valley towns by asking them about the kind of services the council can provide for them. She said a DVD developed to market the area is completed and will also be shown to River Valley towns and businesses. It will be placed on the growth council website, and distributed through the River Valley Chamber of Commerce and other organizations.

In an effort to revitalize the board and its mission to help build the economy of the area, the board will meet with a consultant from Common Good Ventures of Brunswick for a four-hour workshop Sept. 1.

The workshop is offered to the growth council at no cost, and is a result of attendance by board members at a nonprofit workshop at the University of Maine in Farmington in June.

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