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August 21, 2008
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Recent News
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New Rumford dental clinic plans mid-February opening
Date: December 10, 2007
Description: Thanks to a $325,000 grant last month, work is moving right along on a community dental clinic that will be based in Rumford but serve all of Oxford County.
Last week, community leaders were briefed on the project inside a conference room at the Oxford Federal Credit Union in Mexico.
"This is big news, and this is good news," Patty Duguay of the River Valley Healthy Communities Coalition said on Sunday afternoon in Byron. "It's good news for the community. Oral health is so important to overall health."
Duguay and Rumford Hospital Chief Executive Officer John Welsh gave a PowerPoint presentation on the project to about 20 people.
Funding to date for the Rumford Dental Health Center totals $403,150. It will be located within about 1,800 square feet on the first floor of the River Valley Technology Center in Rumford.
Initially, when it opens in mid-February, about 10 people will be employed. They include two dentists and two or three hygienists, four to five support staff and a center supervisor. There will be six dental rooms equipped with digital radiography.
Duguay said one dentist has signed on through September 2008 and the center is actively recruiting another.
Getting the $325,000 Maine Health Access Foundation grant meant that work to refurbish space for the new dental health center could finally begin, Duguay said.
"We think it will be real inviting. That's our intention," she added.
The center is projected to annually serve more than 4,500 children and adults during more than 9,000 dental visits per year. A sliding-fee scale will be used so that care is affordable for all patients.
Duguay said she hopes that the Rumford dental center will keep people with dental pain or infection out of hospital emergency rooms and nip away at Maine's shortage of dentists.
According to information provided at last Wednesday's briefing, the area has four dentists, or one per 4,250 residents. In Oxford County, there is one dentist per 3,422 residents; in Maine, one dentist per 2,165 residents and nationally, one dentist per 1,656 residents.
However, within three years, due to retirement, there will only be one dentist per 17,000 residents in the River Valley area, Duguay said.
Community Dental Clinic in Portland will be the lead agency for the Rumford dental clinic, but partners include RVHCC, RVTC, Rumford Hospital, Tri-County Mental Health Services, and the U.S. Public Health Service. Combined, the entities are called the Western Maine Health Access and Integration Coalition.
Founded in 1918 as the Red Cross Children's Dental Clinic in Portland, Community Dental operates dental health centers in Farmington, Lewiston, Peaks Island, Portland, Saco and Sanford. It annually provides 32,000 dental health visits to 15,000 children and adults
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Office Space Available
Date: December 10, 2007
Description: The River Valley Technology Center has 1,872 sf of office space and/or incubator space for rent located at 60 Lowell Street in Rumford Maine. The Tech Center is situated on the "Island" in the downtown business district of Rumford. Very nice window space already equiped with cubicle dividers or can be open space. Lease rates are negoitable. Rent includes electricity, heat/AC, broadband internet, wireless connection, shared kitchen, handicapped accessible bathrooms, janitorial service and dumpster pick up. Start-up and/or expanding business have access to business couseling. Copier & fax service is available for a small fee. Please call Beverly at 207-369-0396 or email beverly@rvgc.org.
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RVAC - Economic Development Plan
Date: December 07, 2007
Description: River Valley Agriculture Commission
Economic Development Plan
2008 to 2013
Click Here to Download PDF File
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Shared-Use Commercial Kitchen Survey
Date: July 10, 2008
Description: The River Valley Growth Council and River Valley Agriculture Commission in partnership with the Threshold to Maine is exploring the concept of establishing a shared use commerical kitchen. Please fill out the survey to help us further explore funding opportunities by community feedback.
Please follow the link below:
www.thresholdtomaine.org/images/RVAC%20Kitchen%20Survey%2005_16_08.pdf
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Agriculture Opportunities Stay Front & Center!
Date: June 07, 2007
Description: The Growth Council is working in partnership with the Town of Rumford on a SARE (Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education) grant. The objective is to identify an agricultural strategy to strengthen the presence and the benefits of agriculture in our area. The first step was the formation of the Agricultural Commission. The Commission meets every two weeks at the Technology Center in Rumford. The commission has identified a starting strategy with the first activity being an improved River Valley Farmers Market. Farmer's Market: The River Valley Farmers Market will take place on Fridays from 11am to 4pm in the parking lot of the Mexico Labonville location on Rt. 2. This location will allow easier accessibility for customers and as we grow this should be a central must stop for anyone interested in great tasting, locally grown and prepared foods. Informational meetings were held to recruit vendors from a 50-mile radius to join the Farmers Market. Vendors will be selling flowers, herbs, fruits, vegetables, potatoes, corn, and home baked goods. Selection may vary from week to week, but be sure to stop in to meet and shop with local farmers. More Vendors are welcome and necessary! Infrastructure, Shared-use Kitchen, Education and Community Outreach: The Commission is now focusing prioritizing other aspects of the strategy. Ultimately, the Commission will develop an agricultural economic plan to be adopted by the citizens of Rumford. This will identify regional common goals and be used to educate the surrounding communities as well. While Rumford is spearheading this effort all towns in the region are welcome and encouraged to participate!
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Arts Council and MECA (Maine College of Arts)
Date: June 07, 2007
Description: To be a viable, thriving community we need to balance all interests. The ARTS, visual arts, musical arts, fine arts, theater arts, etc. are an important part of what adds beauty, fun and creativity to a community. The Arts Council is interested in the top floor of the Tech Center to create space for visiting artists of all the arts. There has been talk of retail space and perhaps a coffee shop! We can even visualize tying this into the shared-use kitchen! This collaborative has received a grant to further explore the opportunity and work through feasibility issues. There should be more news and community involvement over the summer with a plan of action in the fall. Come be a part of this vital effort!
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Pine Tree Zones are Underutilized!
Date: June 07, 2007
Description: A Pine Tree Zone (PTZ) provides an aggressive combination of tax incentives to NEW businesses locating in the designated area. This gives the River Valley an advantage for economic development. Many hours have been spent getting the zones assigned to our region and we want more businesses to take advantage of the tax incentives! There are currently 281 acres available in 4 out of the 10 towns the Council covers. Please stop by the office for more information!
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Agriculture Opportunities Stay Front & Center!
Date: June 05, 2007
Description: The Growth Council is working in partnership with the Town of Rumford on a SARE (Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education) grant. The objective is to identify an agricultural strategy to strengthen the presence and the benefits of agriculture in our area. The first step was the formation of the Agricultural Commission. The Commission meets every two weeks at the Technology Center in Rumford. The commission has identified a starting strategy with the first activity being an improved River Valley Farmers Market. Farmers Market: The River Valley Farmers Market will take place on Fridays from 11am to 4pm in the parking lot of the Mexico Labonville location on Rt. 2. This location will allow easier accessibility for customers and as we grow this should be a central must stop for anyone interested in great tasting, locally grown and prepared foods. Informational meetings were held to recruit vendors from a 50-mile radius to join the Farmers Market. Vendors will be selling flowers, herbs, fruits, vegetables, potatoes, corn, and home baked goods. Selection may vary from week to week, but be sure to stop in to meet and shop with local farmers. More Vendors are welcome and necessary! Infrastructure, Shared-use Kitchen, Education and Community Outreach: The Commission is now focusing prioritizing other aspects of the strategy. Ultimately, the Commission will develop an agricultural economic plan to be adopted by the citizens of Rumford. This will identify regional common goals and be used to educate the surrounding communities as well. While Rumford is spearheading this effort all towns in the region are welcome and encouraged to participate!
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River Valley Growth Council Launches New Web Site
Date: April 17, 2007
Description: River Valley Growth Council Launches New Web Site
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