New marketing tool for Rumford

RUMFORD -- In the effort to bring business to town, Rumford has now added a new marketing tool.

At a workshop Thursday with the Board of Selectmen, members of the Economic Development Committee discussed a 16-page document that will be used.

Jim Rinaldo, who serves on the committee with Dick Lovejoy and Phil Blampied, said he spent two to three months updating the information, which contains data on services offered, types of power, recreation, that Rumford has a critical care hospital, etc.

"This has things of interest for someone in this area and information for potential businesses looking at this area," he said, adding that he already has 25 names to send this information to, including one contact in Minnesota.

Rinaldo had a couple copies of the document, set up and printed by Maine Press, which were passed around the table during the discussion. Produced in full color, each page includes photos of Rumford taken by Arthur Boivin.

He noted that it's important to have this information readily available when a person or business is looking at this area.

While hard copy will be used in some cases, there will be other instances when it can be sent through electronic mail.

Town Manager Carlo Puiia noted, "Hard copy makes a difference, especially if it's lengthy. That's the

advantage over an email attachment."

Rinaldo added that the document is not that indepth. "This will answer some questions and generate other questions."

As for the cost, Rinaldo said it carries a $150 set up fee by Maine Press, then around $11 per document.

After debating upon the number of initial copies, the group decided to start with 30. The total cost will be over $300, which will be paid for through the town's economic development fund.

Puiia said he will look over the document for things like spelling corrections before the copies are produced.

There will be a copy in the town office for viewing and it will also be placed on the town's website.

This document will augment a regionwide marketing DVD developed by the River Valley Growth Council.

There were 200 copies made of the DVD.