A pre-bid conference for the $2 million project is scheduled

for April 15.
By Eileen M. Adams
Staff Writer

RUMFORD – Bids have gone out for a nearly $2 million project that will result in a new technology center for the area.

Norman MacIntyre, director of the River Valley Technology Center, said the required federal Economic Development Administration approval came through on the plan to renovate a portion of a former bag mill as the technology center.

He said several contractors have inquired about the job over the past few months. Those who want to submit a bid must attend a pre-bid conference at the River Valley Growth Council at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, April 15, to meet with the architects and go over details for the project.

Bids must be received by 2 p.m. on Thursday, May 1, at which time the apparent lower bidder will be identified. That contractor’s bid must then be reviewed and approved by the EDA.

Work is expected to begin by June 1, with a completion date set for the end of February. Planned is the complete renovation of level two, which is about 16,000-square feet of the former bag mill, which was owned by MeadWestvaco Corp. It will provide space for precision metal manufacturing, for training, and for a business incubator center. Also, a portion of an adjacent building will be renovated as the main entrance to the larger site, and become the offices for the facility.

“We’re really happy we’ve got to this point,” said MacIntyre. “It’s a milestone.”