RUMFORD – The River Valley Growth Council plans to launch its annual fund drive later this month with presentations to selectmen from each of the 10 member towns on Jan. 26.
The meeting will take place just prior to the next regionalism meeting set to continue discussion on possibly merging the police departments of Rumford, Mexico and Dixfield.
Rosie Bradley, director of the growth council and River Valley Technology Center, made the announcement at the growth council’s monthly meeting Wednesday night.
The presentation will outline the economic efforts the council has been working on, the need for continued funding and plans for the future.
“I think it will be kind of interesting to have all the selectmen in one room,” said Rumford Town Manager Steve Eldridge.
Bradley believes funding will be an issue with many towns this year.
The growth council is currently working with a $128,000 annual budget for fiscal year 2005-06. The budget development process for fiscal year 2006-07 has not yet begun. In the past, the three largest towns have appropriated $12,000 each for the growth council. The smaller towns have given lesser amounts. Several banks and businesses have also donated to the organization.
Bradley said 675 letters asking for financial support from businesses and individuals will go out next week.
In other matters on Wednesday, Bradley announced that a Massachusetts firm is looking for a 100- to 200-acre site on which to build a manufacturing facility. She declined to name the company or the kind of product that would be manufactured. She said she is looking at potential sites in Mexico and Dixfield.
Whether the firm will locate in the River Valley will likely be known by the end of January, she said.
In other business matters, Eldridge said a sporting goods store has plans to move into a portion of the former Hannaford store located in the River Valley Crossing shopping center, previously known as the Abbott Farm Plaza.
He said three full-time and several part-time jobs would be created. A late spring opening is expected.
Also on Wednesday:
• Bradley reported that the University of Maine at Augusta is continuing its plans to relocate the Rumford/Mexico University Center in Mexico to the former NewPage Corp. administrative building in Rumford.
• Eldridge said three businesses have expressed interest in moving into Rumford’s new business park located off Route 108.
• Canton representative Diane Ray said an oil distribution facility is planning to build on a site along Route 108 in Canton.
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