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  Farms the future for Rumford area?

Farm commission head sees $3 million boost to economy from new agriculture

  There's money to be made in farming in Rumford and the River Valley towns.  That's the message from a report prepared by the River Valley Agricultural Commission, according to Mark Hews, a regional agricultural specialist who's been working with the Commission.  "With proper planning, any kind of agricultural business could succeed in this area," he says. (See the story of a local ag entrepreneur.) Hews sees two particularly strong food-related business start up ideas: one, raising and selling specialty meats such as goat or organic beef or chicken, and two, "preparing vegetables for sale to schools for their cafeterias," Hews says, since local schools have indicated they want to outsource the chopping and prep work.
  The Commission was created last year after the town of Rumford and the River Valley Growth Council won a $10,000 grant from the federal Department of Agriculture.  Most of that money has gone to the River Valley Growth Council for secretarial support and meeting space. Hews comes from a non-profit organization called "Threshold to Maine", a Gray, Maine-based group affiliated with the USDA. The plan to be released this month was done by six local Commission members, coordinated by Hews.  Hews stated recently that the area's agricultural output could increase by 20 percent in the next five years, which he estimated at a dollar amount of $3 million. Farming opportunities are limited in the Rumford area since the best farmland is in the flat river valley, which is also within either shoreland zoning restrictions or the recently-passed wellhead protection zone. Both the keeping of livestock and the application of fertilizer may be restricted or forbidden.  Hews thinks many regulations can be handled by a "Nutrient Management Plan", but agrees that getting such a document written might add a hefty consultants' fee to the cost of starting a farm.  Those with land available already might squeeze a few extra bucks from increasing their vegetable gardens by taking some of their crop to the River Valley Farmers Market, which, last summer, was set up in the parking lot of the Labonville store on Rt 2 in Mexico.  Small amounts of any crop may also be sold to "aggregators", who buy small quantities and consolidate them into an amount large enough to wholesale commercially. One example is Farm Fresh Connection, an organization in the Brunswick-Lewiston region. Discussion has begun locally about creating an aggregator in the River Valley, says Hews, and a potential exists for an aggregator business for vegetables, blueberries, greens for wreaths or other grown or gathered commodities.

  The River Valley might do best with the kind of agriculture that doesn't require large, flat and fertilized land, and meat fits the bill. Sheep, goats, chicken and other meat animals can forage rocky pasture or even hilly terrain. Hews thinks locally raised meat has a strong sales potential since "people increasingly want to know where their meat is coming from." Auxilliary products might be profitably produced.  Hews mentions that both goat cheese and eggs are produced competitively in northern New England. Another kind of agriculture that might do well is greenhouse-based, including both decorative plants and small volume crops such as herbs. Restaurants and stores throughout New England would be a strong market for easy to grow fresh herbs such as basil, dill, and mint.  The River Valley has the advantage of inexpensive land back away from the road.  Such  "landlocked" land is hard to use for building lots but has an ample supply of wood for the wood heat which could  stretch the growing season in a greenhouse.  For anyone with five acres already under cultivation, a program with Coastal Enterprises, Inc. offers farmers a chance to create business plan, and those farm

 

 

Fast track food

Businesses which might not need that much capital yet could become profitable quickly 

1. Vegetable prep for school cafeterias

The regional Ag Commission guy says it's needed.  See the story at left.

2. Sell your backyard veggies at the Farmer's Market

Membership is only $25 a year.   If you double your garden next year, you could make a part-time job of it.

3. Aggregate!

Buy veggies, blueberries or whatever in small batches from local people, take them to a warehouse properly equipped so that they won't spoil and re-sell in wholesale quantities.

4. Herbs to gourmets

Use a greenhouse or modest garden space to grow as much dill, basil, mint or other prolific herb as you can and peddle it to gourmet stores and upscale restaurants.

 

owners who complete the program and finish their business  plan can apply for a grant of up to $25,000.  The program and the grant process are both competitive and selective and not for a beginner or someone just looking for a part time business.  For more information about starting an agricultural business, contact us at info@growrumford.com

Making the most of the River

The Androscoggin River through Rumford and the River Valley towns is clean, rural, tranquil and hardly ever used.  Could a business succeed by getting people out on the water?

  

Last fall, Rumford residents took a tentative step back out onto the water.  The Androscoggin River runs through the center of Rumford and several valley towns, but is rarely used for recreation, a legacy of years past when the river was severely polluted.  Now with some paper mills upstream closed and sewage plants carefully regulated and designed, the water is clear enough to fish and even to swim in, but few people have returned to it.  On October 13, the area Chamber of Commerce organized a "River Run" along a nine mile stretch of the river from Hanover to Rumford and a handful showed up to participate.  Those who did were delighted.  The river banks are undeveloped and wooded and paddlers often feel as if they're in wilderness.  There are no power boats since the river is too shallow in places for safe power boat use, all of which makes paddling all the more delightful.

The potential for a business to rent or sell kayaks, canoes, rowboats and even sailboats is strong.  With a helmsman knowledgeable about the shallow sections, even a party-boat-type raft could navigate most of the river.

Although few have returned to the river, local governments and land trusts have tried to attract people by setting up a system of reliable boat launches along the 37.2 mile stretch from the New Hampshire border to Rumford.  Dams in Shelburne, New Hampshire and Rumford create boundaries on the west and east of this section of open river, but nothing blocks paddle passage in between.  Only two short sections are white water.  The rest is easy paddling.  The best information about the River is the Androscoggin Canoe Trail Map and Guide, published by the Mahoosuc Land Trust, PO Box 981, Bethel, ME  04217 (or see their web site at http://www.mahoosuc.org)   The $4.95 price would be a safe first investment for any entrepreneur intrigued by the possibility of starting a boating business on the upper Androscoggin.

Here are many more business start up ideas for the Rumford area:

A reader of this site has a fantastic idea.  Richard Bond writes: "I wanted to suggest that the auto body shop might be good for the assembly  of kit cars. With the economy of the town of Rumford depressed there might not be enough local business in Oxford County. If however the shop were used for assembly for customers from Factory Five or some other kit company then work might be brought in from around all of New England. 'Come for a vacation leave with a car'."


http://www.factoryfive.com

   Old Fashioned Country Auction

A more entertaining way to run a flea market business.  Hold auctions Saturday night and collect consignment items during the week.  Needs a large hall with storage during the week, folding chairs for Saturday night, and parking.  Great for people looking to flea market out unused possessions and great fun for the audience who come to watch and to try not to buy.                                          

PERFECT SPOT for a dry cleaning shop or plant.  There's a coin op laundry but no dry cleaners within miles, and note the vacant storefront right next to the laundramat in Mexico, Maine, right across the river from Rumford.   To make it work, the owner would need to depend not only on walk-in traffic, but also set up a route of pick-ups in nearby towns.  If this is what you do, why not think about expanding or moving up here.  Get more details with a  preliminary feasibility study.

NOW! A company offering franchise dry cleaning stores!  See our franchises page or go directly to the company website at http://www.lapelsdrycleaning.com

 DOWNTOWN RUMFORD needs a good convenience store/deli.   The local Family Dollar has moved to a location a mile away in Mexico, leaving no place to buy cat food and toilet paper, and there is no place to get good hearty take-out sandwiches (subs, yes, donuts, yes, sandwiches, no.)  To make it work, this would need the essential convenience store combo of beer, cigarettes, milk and lottery, but the sandwich counter would provide the extra profit needed.  The proprietor would need to be friendly and provide good service too as this is a small town environment. Get more details by ordering a preliminary feasibility study.

AQUACULTURE: With the Androscoggin River and many tributary rivers and streams, the Valley area has numerous sites with a possibility for fresh water fish farming.  Catfish?  Tilapia?  Trout for stocking?  Wood heat could be used to warm the waters in the cold months, the effluent could be used as fertilizer on nearby farms.

MOVIE STUDIO - strange as it might sound, providing a space for independent and amateur video and movie makers to film their projects could draw people from all over the Northeast.  The studio would be in a large building and would have several sets ready to use, perhaps an office setting, a living room setting, a mock tv news set, a prison, a false forest or other settings with dramatic potential.  The indie film makers would rent by the hour, much as musicians rent a recording studio.  Providing movie editing facilities would add to the value for prospective users as would have a sound system with sound effects, a wind machine, and good lighting on each set.

BAKERY, but not the traditonal wedding cake and sugar cookies bakery (the local Hannaford and Wal Mart have that market covered), but the sort demonstrated by the success of When Pigs Fly and Borealis bakeries in southern Maine - sourdough breads and rolls, hearty rye breads and multigrain breads, etc.  The southern Maine bakeries have extensive distribution in supermarkets in their area, but have not penetrated western Maine.  A local artisan baker could supply all the major supermarkets and stores along the Rt. 2 corridor from New Hampshire to Bangor.  With a storefront (perhaps one of the vacant stores on Congress Street) there would also be walk-in trade.  How about a preliminary feasibility study?

ADVERTISING AND PUBLIC RELATIONS AGENCY. Amazingly, there is none up here, although there are many of the usual potential clients, from hospitals to nonprofits to the big ski areas
WATER TESTING LAB.  A neighbor just discovered there are no labs near Rumford for testing water safety.  Such tests need to be done regularly in any house using well water, and many houses, and nearly all new construction in this area, are on wells.  A walk-in lab would have a ready clientele.

 

 OFFICE CENTER/BUSINESS CENTER.  With inexpensive storefront and office space, costs would be low to set up an office center - one of those businesses that rent desk and file space to those who want desk space but aren't ready to rent their own offices.  Requires a receptionist up front, a phone system, a half dozen desks, a bathroom, a meeting room and space for file cabinets.  Computer hook up or wifi also necessary.  Potential customers: sales people, local political office holders, local governments that need extra office space, vendors visiting the local mill and many others. Receptionist would also do secretarial work for outside clients.

 TRUCK STOP to be? 

THIS END UNIT in a largely empty shopping plaza on Route 2 is an ideal spot for a truck stop.  Large trucks travel Rt. 2 night and day, but have trouble finding a place to stop to eat since few restaurants in town can provide parking for their rigs.  This potentially high capital project would work best with a combination of diesel fueling stations, a restaurant, and a trucker's store/shower and bath facilities.  The plaza in which it's located is coming back to life, with a new Marden's opening last year, and an Olympia Sports just opening this year. Perhaps a partnership among several parties, with one for each function. Why not order a preliminary feasibility study?

 ARTISTS' STUDIOS.  Many old buildings in town are available for sale for very reasonable prices, but need fixing up.  Instead of renovating more low income rental units, a new owner might do well to remove a floor and create loft space for artists.  The costs are low enough that it would be a strong draw for the artistic crowd from Portland and elsewhere around the state. Contact us for a preliminary feasibility study.

ALTERNATIVE SENTENCING FACILITY.  Another use for some of the old buildings would be to turn them into a weekend confinement center for non-violent, first time offenders.  The catch, which would catch the interest of the court, is that the offenders would pay for their own stay, but get in return a kind and comfortable, but locked, environment during their weekend stay.  Saves the taxpayer, reduces jail overcrowding, and provides a humane confinement option for people who may only have made one foolish mistake.
SHIPPING/PACKAGING/EBAY SELLER/PRIVATE MAILBOXES.  A common business model seen in other towns is a Mailbox Store.  These also make money by being a Fedex and UPS drop off and helping people package items for shipment, as well as posting things for sale for people on the internet. Get your preliminary feasibility study here and note that the Goin' Postal mailbox store franchise company is offering $2000 off their fee for a new franchise here if you mention this site. 

 

QUICKIE LUBE FRANCHISE: preliminary response from people in the area indicates an interest in a quickie lube oil change business.  Warning: some local service stations have tried discount oil changes, and it didn't seem to increase business.  However, with proper signage, Rt. 2 highway location (a couple of obvious sites come to mind) and the promise of quick, in-and-out service, this could work.  Needs to be looked at carefully, and a preliminary feasibility study wouldn't hurt.

DAY OLD BREAD SHOP:  It may not sound that appetizing, but day-old bread shops, featuring brand name bread, often do well.  In addition to bread, the inventory includes many discount bakery and canned items.  A relationship with a major bakery would need to be established and they may have access to the rest of the inventory as well as the bread.  A feasibility study would open the initial contacts with major bakeries.

KITCHENWARE, DISHWARE, cooking-themed store with associated paraphrenalia, such as dishtowels, linens, wickerware for kitchen and dining room, various canned and packaged gourmet food, maybe wine.  All of this would work in this area if done in a large inventory format with pricing more on a discount than upscale basis.  (A small expensive boutique would fail fast.) Can it be done?  It has been elsewhere.  A feasibility study  would provide you with some models to follow.
APPALACHIAN TRAIL OUTFITTERS ... Thanks to Ron Theriault for pointing out that Rumford is within a half hour's drive, more or less, to no less than six places at which the Appalachian Trail crosses a paved road.  For hikers, the opportunity is there for over a half dozen short haul AT hikes - one day, two days - from one paved road crossing to the other.  A great opportunity for those doing the AT in sections, or those who just want a taste of the AT experience.  From a business point of view, the opportunity is there to outfit and assist people doing these short haul hikes - equipping them from anything from hiking gear to packed lunches, dropping them off at one road and picking them at the next crossing the following day, providing hot showers and lodging in between hikes, maybe even leading hikes, and so on.  Want a feasibility study ?