The New Hotel

Best Western in Rumford
Click on photo to enlarge

I'm guessing most of my friends from away wouldn't think twice about a hotel being built. But for many of us in town, the Best Western on the bottom of Falls Hill represents progress and small-town commitment. A crew of local investors ponied up money to build the 5+ million dollar structure that's set to open in the summer of 2021. I admire the investors' faith in the project, one that's placed at the entrance to town. 

I've enjoyed watching the building take shape and have marveled at the amount of negativity surrounding the project. Judging by the comments on Facebook, the Rumford/Mexico River Valley has a lot of angry, unfulfilled people wandering its streets.  

My 1972 high school class officers have been interested in the hotel's progress since our 50th class reunion is planned in town for 2022. We'll be celebrating at 49 Franklin, a well-appointed event center, created with tireless years of work  by Scott and Cindy Grassette from our family's Methodist church. We also have plans on celebrating at Black Mountain's new lodge. They just added air conditioning, so a summer event will be doable for those of us who melt in the summer heat. 

Here's to the Best Western investors and our little town that can and will reinvent itself. 

Black Mountain of Maine's New Lodge replete with AC!