RUMFORD — A new push to redevelop the River Valley area got off to a great start Tuesday night when 20 people shared ideas for 90 minutes in Rumford Falls Auditorium.
Among the suggestions were a resolution by selectmen against a Route 2 bypass, bringing businesses to Route 2, creating an antiques shop district, coordinated and publicized events, indoor skate and bike parks and a bike shop, campsites along the Androscoggin River and river recreation opportunities, an all-terrain vehicle park, and marketing the area and its attractions better.
“If we work with what we have, add what we can, and promote ourselves better, we can spur growth,” Kevin Saisi of Rumford said afterward.
“This valley is Western Maine’s best kept secret.”
So, also, has been Saisi’s creation in February of the River Valley Ideaville group on social media site Facebook at www.facebook.com/groups/ideaville/.
That is until Tuesday night when Saisi took it public by having Rumford Economic Development Committee member Jim Rinaldo facilitate the gathering.
“The focus of tonight is not whether we like where Rumford is or where Rumford’s been, or the River Valley, where it’s been or where it is,” Saisi said.
“It’s looking forward to what it can be and what the possibilities are and how we as the people of the River Valley can work to achieve those goals.”
Saisi then shared suggestions gleaned from Ideaville that targeted attractions/recreation, events, food, retail, promotion, tourism and education as ways to develop rural communities.
Andrew Cormier of Rumford said that one of the town’s problems is that it’s a pass-through community, meaning tourists and others drive through the area without stopping to see what it has to offer.
That needs to change, he said.
Saisi suggested forming committees keyed on the seven targets to determine which ideas are simplistic enough to develop first.
Businessman Dave Duguay of Byron, an Oxford County commissioner and co-owner of the new Amato’s Restaurant coming to Rumford, said he’d like to see a theater return.
However, Rinaldo said he’s contacted half a dozen theater owners, who’ve told him the area doesn’t have a large enough population for such an investment.
Darleen Hutchins of Canton and Rumford Town Manager Carlo Puiia suggested creating an ATV park. Hutchins also suggested holding several racing-type events like go-kart derbies.
Rinaldo said Rumford owns 75 acres behind Marden’s, which might be a great place to create an ATV park or develop biking and hiking trails if it’s not feasible for buildings.
Additionally, he said the area needs a hotel desperately, while Dick Lovejoy said another manufacturer is needed to grow jobs and the population.
Another man suggested cleaning up the dilapidated buildings so that visitors focus more on the area’s architecture.
Kim Sequoia suggested rethinking the traffic flow, where it’s going, and then build up those areas so businesses can thrive.
Rumford Selectman Jeremy Volkernick suggested creating an antiques district, possibly in the downtown area. He said he envisions the new Rumford as a small version of North Conway, N.H.
When Ron Bouchard suggested developing coordinated events and publicizing them, Rinaldo recognized that idea “as one of those low-hanging fruits.”
Justin Forbes of Rumford suggested gutting large warehouses and building indoor skate and bike parks in them, and bringing in bike and skate shops.
One common theme among suggestions was the need for better marketing.
“We have had some successes, but when it comes to promotion, our slogan appears to be ‘Shhh, it’s Rumford,'” Saisi said.
“There is so much that we could be doing to highlight the offerings of this area.”
The group decided to hold a second meeting at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 14, in Rumford Falls Auditorium.
Afterward, Saisi said he was “very pleased with the turnout.”
“I know that people care and want to be part of improving the area,” he said.
“Unfortunately, previous efforts have not been productive, which makes some skeptical about investing their time.”
“We may have been able to get away with small steps 20 years ago, but now the River Valley needs to work on a number of things simultaneously to make positive changes,” Saisi said.
“We cannot hold back for fear of failure, nor for fear of success.”
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- During Tuesday night’s River Valley redevelopment meeting in Rumford, Andrew Cormier, top right, of Rumford, shares his ideas about creating businesses along Route 2. Listening, bottom left, are Darleen Hutchins of Canton and her sign language interpreter, Jim Rinaldo, Ron Bouchard, Justin Forbes, and Vince and Linda Saisi, all of Rumford.
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- While Jeff Dayon, right, of Rumford, listens, Bill French, also of Rumford, tells 18 other people at Tuesday night’s River Valley redevelopment session that they should simultaneously work to grow business and attract people to the area.
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- During a debut meeting Tuesday night of a River Valley area redevelopment group in Rumford, Rumford Selectman Jeremy Volknernick, left, and Justin Forbes, right, listen to Ron Bouchard suggest that coordinated events be held in the area to attract people.
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