RUMFORD – The River Valley Technology Center board will present a plan for the future of the center and discuss requirements of a community development block with the state’s Department of Economic and Community Development this morning in Augusta.

Diane Ray, consultant for the River Valley Growth Council and tech center, plans to have an outline of what the tech center wants to do, what its mission could be, and how it will achieve its goals.

The group, which will include tech center treasurer Rich Allen, center vice chairman John Madigan, and U.S. Rep. Michael Michaud’s representative, Andrea Quaid, plan to meet with the head of the Office of Innovation and perhaps, the commissioner of the DECD.

State Sen. Bruce Bryant, D-Dixfield, and Rep. John Patrick, D-Rumford, set up the discussion. Rep. Randy Hotham, R-Dixfield, is also expected to take part.

They also want to discuss where the tech center stands with the $400,000 community development block grant it received several years ago through the town of Mexico. The grant required that 40 jobs be created at the tech center when it was established as an incubator for metal precision businesses. About 14 jobs have been created so far.

Madigan, who is Mexico’s town manager, said he expects a one-year extension to create the jobs. Some have been concerned that the town may be liable for the grant if 40 jobs aren’t created.

Dick Lovejoy, chairman of the board, questioned whether the center was a business incubator when the state stopped its funding.

Diane Dostie, a board member who represents Central Maine Community College, said the tech center has to broaden the focus of the types of businesses locating in the building because the community is too small for just one.

“If they pulled the funds for an incubator, how can you still be an incubator?” she asked.

Allen also questions the number of jobs that must be created because he learned from other economic development organizations that half that number was required for a grant the size of the tech center’s.

Ray said 40 jobs could not be placed on the first floor, which is the only floor that has been finished. The board is seeking grants to finish at least two other floors in the massive, former bag mill.

She said, too, at Tuesday’s board meeting, that two businesses are seeking 2,000-square-feet of space in the building, including one that wants to move in by mid-May.

“We don’t have the space,” she said.

The tech center is operating with a small administrative staff, a consultant and volunteer work from the board until it has a better handle on how much money it will have to operate.

Another meeting has been set for May 29 to continue budget work and the future of the tech center.