RUMFORD — Rather than hire outside economic development experts, selectmen Thursday night felt it was best for the town to rely on local talent.

During the economic development workshop, the board listened to Glen Holmes and Jim Rinaldo sell their abilities.

Holmes is the director of the Western Maine Economic Development Council, which represents 34 towns in Oxford County, including Rumford. The council’s goal is to help businesses succeed.

Holmes said he “is more about accomplishing things than talking about things.”

Rinaldo is on Rumford’s Economic Development Committee and the River Valley Growth Council.

Holmes asked the board to allow him and Rinaldo to be their conduits for economic development.

He also sought direction from selectmen as to what types of businesses they would like to see coming to Rumford.

“Until we know what it is you want, we’re never going to be successful,” he said. “We need to know what this town really and truly wants so we can set the goal. We want to find out what’s good about this area, and then sell that.”

“I think our No. 1 goal is the (Puiia Business Park), getting that up and going and moving,” Selectman Jolene Lovejoy said.

“One of the things I like about you both is, you reek of enthusiasm. You are two of the most gung-ho people that I know.”

Rinaldo said that 30 years ago, when he worked for Puiia Hardware, he was told “to learn your product.”

“We’re familiar with this town, and we’ll sell the town as positive,” he said.

In response to Lovejoy’s comment about focusing on the business park, Rinaldo said he would need funding to advertise it in certain places rather than just make a phone call or two a day to a prospective business owner.

Selectman Jeremy Volkernick then accused some selectmen — without mentioning names — of not being business friendly, which upset Selectman Brad Adley.

“Business friendly, we don’t have it right now. I’m sorry,” Volkernick said.

“Citizens of this town need to wake up. Anytime we get a new business, come down and welcome them.”

“We have (tax-increment financing) districts,” he said. “Find out what a TIF district is before you start slamming one of our businesses. When we as a town of Rumford can do that, we will grow.”

After Volkernick admitted he hadn’t done much for economic development, he accused the board, residents and Town Manager Carlo Puiia of hindering his efforts. He then lauded Rinaldo’s efforts before criticizing fellow board members again.

“Hopefully, this board will really smarten up and become business friendly,” Volkernick said. “We’re on the move, but we have a lot to improve on and the citizens need to wake up.”

He said he believes Town Manager Puiia, one selectman and a “damn good economic development director” are all that’s needed to grow the town.

“We actually need to do something, because Rumford is at a standstill,” Volkernick said. “I love Rumford very much, and I do see a great future ahead of us.”

“Hold on, hold on!” Adley said, raising his voice. “I take offense that you said we are not business friendly. Who the hell are you to say that to us? Name three things that we’ve done that haven’t been business friendly. Specifics, not bull.”

Volkernick said some business owners have asked for tax breaks, but Adley said that isn’t government’s role.

Selectman Chairman Greg Buccina then weighed in, saying, “I don’t think we’re anti-business or not business friendly. We are business friendly.”

“No we’re not,” Volkernick said.

Holmes told the board to leave the past in the past.

When Buccina said Rumford has enough pizza shops and salons in town, Volkernick objected.

“I said we need to be more business friendly, but remarks like ‘We have enough pizza places,’ that needs to go,” he said. “We need to get any businesses that we can. If it’s 20 pizza places and 20 garages, we need to welcome them.”

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