New Mexico MainStreet Program Services
New Mexico MainStreet serves as a resource and support network for designated MainStreet communities, providing them with technical assistance, resources, and information in their revitalization efforts to create healthy, sustainable downtowns. From the basics of the Main Street Approach® to advanced downtown development strategies, New Mexico MainStreet offers educational and specialized services to designated communities.
On-site Technical Assistance
A team of MainStreet professionals specializing in aspects of the Four Point Approach® provides free, on-site technical assistance to designated MainStreet communities. The on-site assistance is specifically tailored to each community to help launch revitalization efforts as well as help mature communities tackle more complicated issues. This includes:
- Visits from specialists to offer intensive assistance on a particular aspect of revitalization.
- Reconnaissance visits to communities to critically assess the needs and issues facing the downtown district.
- Annual assessments to help both new and mature MainStreet projects assess programs and address specific issues.
- Resource team visits to newly designated communities to help local programs develop effective strategies to begin revitalization.
Specialized training in each of the Four Points includes:
Organization Assistance
Designed to sustain and enhance local MainStreet Organizations’ structure, operation, resources, and partnerships.
- Orientation and mentoring for board members and officers, committee members, and staff
- Volunteer development
- Public relations strategies and organization image development
- Annual and strategic planning for organizations
- Work plan development
- Operations management
- Resource development, including fundraising and grant writing assistance
Promotion Assistance
Helps local MainStreet organizations’ develop and implement marketing and promotional activities to enhance downtown’s image and attract consumers and visitors to the MainStreet district.
- Media strategies and promotion plans
- Branding
- Tourism development, including cultural and heritage tourism
- Event development, including retail events, special events, and signature events
- Arts and cultural district planning
- Graphic design of logos, signage, and marketing materials
- Website design
Economic Positioning Assistance
Helps participating local MainStreet organizations enhance and strengthen their MainStreet’s economy.
- Market analysis
- Business retention, expansion, and recruitment
- Small business coaching
- Real estate project review
- Loan and grant programs
- Business improvement districts
- Financial incentive programs
- Tax increment financing
Design Assistance
Provides business and property owners with suggestions on how to maintain and enhance buildings located in the MainStreet district.
- Architectural assistance, including façade improvements, floor plans, lighting, and signage
- Window displays and interior merchandising
- Adaptive reuse
- Building rehabilitation and renovation
- Cultural property surveys
- Historic building and district nominations to state and national historic registers
- Preservation technical assistance
- Landscape design
Urban Design and Planning Assistance
Helps MainStreet districts look, work, and function better.
- Downtown master plans and strategic plans
- Metropolitan Redevelopment Areas (MRA)
- Business Improvement Districts (BID)
- Tax Increment Financing
- Development of RFPs
- Streetscape improvements
- Traffic calming strategies and pedestrian and bicycle enhancements
- Infill development
- Plaza and town square redevelopment
- Livability and design guidelines
New Mexico MainStreet Trainings
In addition to on-site technical assistance, the New Mexico MainStreet Program provides quarterly meetings and intermediate-level training opportunities for its certified MainStreet projects and representatives from other communities. Read more about New Mexico MainStreet training and workshops here.
