RUMFORD – When towns, businesses and organizations work together, the chances for improving the area increase greatly.

That is a major belief of the River Valley Chamber of Commerce. And to help make such cooperative efforts more likely, a series of monthly breakfasts with municipal officials is planned, along with an annual or semiannual meeting of people from the chamber’s 10 member towns.

Building strong relationships is one of several strategies devised by Chamber board members during a marathon session aimed at developing a five-year plan.

This is the first time a long-term plan has been written, said chamber President Rosie Bradley.

When she took the reins of the organization last year, she borrowed some ideas from her employer, the River Valley Growth Council.

“When I saw the development of the growth council strategic plan, I learned that it helps to be focused. It makes things a lot smoother when everyone works together with the same agenda,” she said.

Over the next five years, she said the Chamber plans to build stronger relationships through the breakfasts and town meetings.

It also plans to devote more effort and dollars to promoting tourism. To help with that, each town will be surveyed to learn its particular selling point. And efforts will continue to “brand” the River Valley.

“When people hear River Valley, we want them to know what that is,” she said.

Informational sessions for businesses and the general public are being planned to let people know about the benefits of being a chamber member and to learn how they can help during events sponsored by the chamber.

Other points of the strategic plan include increasing the chamber’s membership. Right now, 212 businesses are members, the highest in the eight-year history of the combined chamber.

Bradley said the area sponsors more one- and two-day events than ever. Funding is crucial. The chamber has only one paid staff member and she hopes more funding will provide a second staff member. Bradley’s position is volunteer.

Also planned is the development of a reputation for positive customer service in River Valley towns. To help achieve this, a series of customer service classes will be scheduled and those businesses that provide outstanding customer service will be recognized.

Bradley also hopes to broaden advertising and increase the amount of advertising as a region through television, radio, newspapers and magazines. She encourages businesses and organization to use the chamber’s Web site that lists events happening in the region.

Additional business education will also be offered through monthly sessions such as breakfasts and after hours events.

Members of the public are invited to take part in brainstorming sessions and sub-committees that will be set up later this month to address each of points in the strategic plan by calling the chamber at 364-3241.

“We’re expanding and growing,” she said.

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