FARMINGTON — The Franklin County Chamber of Commerce will move its office to Walmart by Oct. 1 to reduce costs associated with its office at 248 Wilton Road, chamber President Scott Landry said.

After pursuing other locations in the area, the chamber board recently voted to rent space at Walmart, he said.

The chamber will have its own entrance that is only accessible from the outside of Walmart. The office is in the Walmart building but not in Walmart, he said. The office lobby will host the chamber’s 24-hour kiosk promoting information about member businesses.

“Financially it makes the most sense and finances are critical,” Landry said.

Walmart, a chamber member, approached the board offering to lease the space.

“It’s the first in the nation,” he said of the new venture that will serve as an example for other Walmart stores.

The space provides high visibility, plenty of parking and a good rate on the rent that won’t start for a few months. It also includes utilities, janitorial services and plowing. The space will be remodeled at Walmart’s expense, he said.

Besides rent and payroll for one employee, the chamber’s other major responsibility is the phone and Internet and that is covered by a grant from Beeline.

“This is really going to help us financially,” he said.

The move is part of the chamber’s new strategic plan. A committee was formed to create a plan for future growth after members voted in April to not dissolve the organization.

Faced with expenses of nearly $9,000 a month that outweighed income, members sought creative ways to keep going.

The chamber had also just signed a three-year lease for the present office. Landry declined comment about the lease, the present office or its future.

“By reducing the overhead involved with the current location we’ll be able to spend more time working on issues for the membership rather than the constant need to fundraise to keep afloat,” Landry said.

Revitalizing chamber programs such as the breakfast series, business after hours and offering technology workshops for members are part of the plan. Board meetings will be held at member businesses with a goal of getting the businesses more involved.

The chamber will also work with the University of Maine at Farmington to promote the use of student interns in local businesses.

“It gives the students experience for which they get credits while providing a great resource for the business,” he added.

An attempt to reach Walmart’s corporate office for comment was unsuccessful.

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