On October 15, 2025 at the Institute in Alamogordo, NM MainStreet (NMMS) honored the program’s past, four decades of community economic development in New Mexico, and recognized people and projects that exemplify excellence in the state’s 32 MainStreet districts.
The Excellence Awards were based on nominations from the MainStreet network received earlier in the year. MainStreets were asked to nominate superstars and recent projects that made a positive impact in their districts.
While NMMS recognized 18 people and 10 projects based on the nominations, we congratulate and thank every MainStreet Executive Director, Board President, staff member, Board Member, volunteer, and spouse — they ALL make a huge difference in their community!
Videos from VIPs – Wish You Were Here …
Several VIPs couldn’t join NMMS at the celebration but they wanted to send their congratulations. We thank them for their support over the years and for sending their well wishes to help us celebrate forty years of the New Mexico MainStreet program. Please enjoy this video playlist from familiar MainStreeters and friends.
- Rob Black, EDD Cabinet Secretary
- Erin Barnes, Main Street America President & CEO
- Rich Williams, Former NMMS Director
- Amy Barnhart, NMMS Revitalization Specialist
- Amy Bell, NMMS Revitalization Specialist
- Omega Delgado, Former Nob Hill MainStreet ED
- Mara Salcido, Former Lovington MainStreet ED
- Eduardo Martinez, Former Revitalization Specialist
Word Clouds – 100 best adjectives and verbs from the people and project nominations
Excellence Awards – 18 People
Alison Watkins is Los Alamos MainStreet’s former Event Manager.
- She went above and beyond salvaging and reinventing their Women In Business program.
- She turned it around into a fantastic event that brings guest speakers to talk with business owners – they collaborate, educate, and inspire their business community.
- The local sponsor is thrilled with her work!
Christine West is a Project Coordinator for Albuquerque’s monthly ArtWalk and is also an artist.
- She provides constant support to ArtWalk events.
- She also led the City Brights Project to showcase temporary, light-based art installations envisioned by Albuquerque-based artists. Installations live in businesses and city properties, activating downtown in unique ways.
Cynthia Serna is Revitalize San Pedro Partnership’s Board President.
- She’s the backbone of the organization.
- She brings deep experience in grassroots organizing, coalition-building, and public health advocacy, but what truly sets her apart is her relentless dedication to the corridor.
- She leads with heart and strategy—always the first to show up, the last to leave, and the one making sure every voice is heard.
- Her long-standing presence and commitment reflect a deep investment in the future of the district she calls home.
Dallas Baker is Harding County MainStreet’s Secretary.
- She’s led the way in planning and orchestrating Harding County MainStreet’s Halloween Bash and collaborating with the Mosquero school district’s on their Rodeo.
- In addition, she established a new fundraising and information opportunity by securing a display/food site at monthly rodeo play dates for elementary school kids, also put on by the school district.
Darren Hyder is a Board member for Clovis MainStreet, owns multiple buildings downtown, is a building restoration and contractor extraordinaire, entrepreneur and small business owner.
- He has an unwavering commitment to preserving and revitalizing Clovis’ historic MainStreet district.
- He’s been instrumental in the success of more than ten building restoration projects, consistently demonstrating a deep respect for architectural heritage and a strong vision for adaptive reuse. His expertise in historic preservation not only brought numerous buildings back to life but also helped maintain the unique character and charm of Clovis’ district.
- Each of his properties and projects stand as a testament to his high standards, thoughtful design, and passion for historic integrity.
- His insight, strategic thinking, and collaborative spirit have made him an invaluable asset in shaping the future of Clovis’ downtown.
Estela Tenorio-Thompson is a Board Member with Santa Rosa MainStreet.
- She’s been instrumental in Santa Rosa Mainstreet’s work.
- Her ideas often fuel projects and she consistently volunteers with her family.
- She loves all things community and leads the Pecos Sunflower Festival, Guadalupe County Fair Board, and is always involved with community programs and activities.
Jason Phillps is Raton’s Deputy City Manager.
- He’s responsible for keeping Raton MainStreet’s capital outlay funding on track and reports back to New Mexico MainStreet.
- He’s great to work with, collaborative, and responsive.
Jesse Kriegal is a local art teacher and Board Member for Deming Luna County MainStreet.
- He’s the visionary artist behind most of Deming’s murals.
- His most recent project is a history story that’s over 50 feet long.
- Jesse is an asset to Deming’s public art work, he involves and mentors local youth from the community, and Deming MainStreet can always count on him to show up for events and projects.
Jill Lang owns Samizdat Bookstore & Teahouse and is a graduate of the Los Alamos Business Accelerator program in 2021, hosted by Los Alamos MainStreet and Creative District.
- Since she opened, she’s been incredibly engaged in the community, hosting events and fundraisers, author talks, and participating in events, such as Los Alamos Public Library’s annual Atomicon Festival, the Los Alamos Arts Council’s pilot Pajarito Literary Festival and even providing books for the Cosmic Frontiers’ events that were led by the New Mexico Consortium.
- Jill serves on the MainStreet Futures Committee, where she is an active voice for a strategic work plan and an advocate for local and women-owned businesses. She regularly attends and contributes to Women in Business, Los Alamos MainStreet & Creative District’s monthly networking meeting for women and non-binary entrepreneurs.
- Having her business in the district greatly increases the dynamic and success of other nearby businesses as well.
Karina Ortiz is Barelas MainStreet’s Board President, the Street Food Institute’s Board Vice-President, Barelas’s Representative on the Rail Yards Advisory Board, and the Neighborhood Liason for the Rail Yards Market.
- Karina grew up in Barelas, and returned to increase access to healthy food, build opportunities for youth, and support small businesses.
Kat Davis is Carlsbad MainStreet’s former Executive Director.
- Damian Capello, Carlsbad MainStreet Board President said it best:
“Kat Davis is the heartbeat of downtown Carlsbad. Her love for this community shows up in everything she does—from the way she fights for our historic spaces like the Cavern Theatre, to how she makes sure every child feels magic at the Light Parade. She doesn’t just organize events—she builds connection, pride, and hope. Watching her pour her heart into MainStreet has been nothing short of inspiring. We are a better, more united community because of her leadership. I can’t imagine downtown Carlsbad without her.” - She’s a connector, problem-solver, advocate for small businesses, historic preservation, and quality of life in the district.
- As one local business owner put it:
“Kat is the reason downtown Carlsbad feels alive again. She shows up, she listens, and she makes things better—for all of us.”
Ken Britt is a member of Carlsbad’s Pearl of the Pecos Arts & Cultural District Committee.
- He’s been an integral part of Carlsbad’s community – he serves on the Creative Carlsbad Arts Council, the Pearl of the Pecos Steering committee, and the Cavern Theatre Rehabilitation Task Force.
- With his advocacy, dedication and perseverance, Carlsbad received its Arts and Cultural District state authorization last year, and the Cavern Theatre rehabilitation project finished and re-opened this year.
Laura Love is a long-time volunteer for Tucumcari MainStreet.
- She researched and assisted with numerous Railroad Museum updates including the new Dawson Coal Mine exhibit.
- She wrote a short book on the railroad in Tucumcari which is sold in the museum gift shop.
- Laura also authors and organizes Tucumcari MainStreet’s History Alive Walking Tours, which were featured by Main Street America.
Linda DeMarino is MainStreet Truth or Consequences’ Board President and Super Volunteer.
- As Former Executive Director of MainStreet T or C for 12 years, she grew the organization into a strong and vibrant presence that brought about a great deal of positive change in the district.
- She continues to volunteer tirelessly (both for MainStreet and for other community events and organizations), without the need for recognition, but simply in an effort to better her community.
Mary Walker is Gallup MainStreet Arts & Cultural District’s Board President.
- She provides security camera footage to Gallup’s Police Department to help reduce criminal activity in their walkway and on Coal Avenue.
- She’s been actively working on a property owner list to populate their BOOMS Tracker.
- She’s spearheading their initiative to conduct a feasibility study for a small-scale wool mill, boutique hotel, and outdoor recreation outfitter business in the downtown district.
Nancy Dunn is Artesia Arts & Cultural District’s former Coordinator and Artesia MainStreet’s former Design Committee charter member.
- She served for 28 years on Artesia MainStreet’s Design Committee and four and half years as their ACD Coordinator.
- She oversaw 13 public murals as part of their downtown mural program, mentored students through the student mural program, and partnered with north and south Eddy County MainStreet communities on their Artesia-Carlsbad Billboard Project – more than “just a billboard.”
Stephanie Hernandez is Alamogordo’s City Manager.
- She negotiated service contract funding on behalf of Alamogordo MainStreet.
- She provided unwavering support before and during their Great Blocks Construction.
- She is an incredible team player and has a great sense of humor, as evidenced in Alamogordo MainStreet’s AI photos here.
Tammy Fiebelkorn is a City Councilor in Albuquerque.
- Councilor Fiebelkorn has been an unwavering champion for San Pedro’s district.
- In June 2023, she hosted San Pedro’s team to celebrate their graduation to MainStreet Accelerator status. At that meeting, she pledged City funding to support their work. Her support was proactive, generous, and rooted in a deep belief in the corridor’s potential.
- Her consistent presence, advocacy, and willingness to go above and beyond have been instrumental in helping Revitalize San Pedro Partnership gain credibility, secure resources, and build momentum.
- Her engagement has been hands-on and results-driven, helping to lay the groundwork for long-term revitalization and economic growth in the corridor.
Excellence Awards – 10 Projects
Barelas MainStreet’s Route 66 Website
- Completed in June 2025 in both spanish and english versions, this website was a collaboration with the NM Tourism Department.
- It was funded through NM Tourism’s Rt 66 Centennial grant program to prepare for the Route 66 Centennial next year.
Carlsbad MainStreet’s Cavern Theater Restoration
- Carlsbad MainStreet has been a proud and active partner in the multi-phase restoration of the historic Cavern Theatre.
- In 2022, Carlsbad MainStreet secured $350,000 in Capital Outlay funding from New Mexico MainStreet. This important funding supported Phase 4B of the project, focusing on the installation of high-quality digital production and sound equipment necessary for modern performances.
- Carlsbad MainStreet now holds management responsibility for the Cavern Theatre, ensuring that the theater will honor its rich history and serve as a vibrant centerpiece for downtown revitalization. It will host live performances, concerts, film screenings, community events, and more, drawing residents and visitors into the heart of Carlsbad.
Clovis MainStreet’s Train Depot
- The former 1907 Santa Fe Railway Clovis Train Depot—Clovis’ oldest surviving building—is an important historic preservation and adaptive reuse project. Since 2022, it’s home to “The Rail” restaurant.
- Through vision, dedication, and a deep-rooted passion for their community’s heritage, two local brothers, Tate and Jourdan Nichols, undertook the extraordinary task of breathing new life into a long-underutilized but historically significant structure.
- Original architectural details have been preserved and celebrated, while thoughtful additions provide modern comforts that complement the building’s historic character.
- This project exemplifies the highest ideals of adaptive reuse. The Nichols preserved Clovis’ architectural legacy while offering a new and exciting experience for residents and visitors alike.
- The Rails has become a destination that showcases the depot’s historic charm and creates a warm and inviting gathering space—stimulating the local economy, fostering community pride, and sparking a renewed interest in Clovis’ railroad roots.
Deming Luna County MainStreet’s History Mural
- This mural was completed in July 2025 and adds to the beauty of Deming’s Courthouse Park where many local events are held.
- It’s a lesson in Deming’s roots and a representation of why families came to Deming in the 1800’s and why they stayed.
Gallup MainStreet Arts & Cultural District’s Coal Avenue Commons
- The project begins at First Street and extends to Third Street. It improved three intersections and also included some minor redesign of the walkway located in the project area, bisecting the block between 2nd and 3rd Streets on the south side of Coal Avenue.
- $800,000 in New Mexico MainStreet Capitol Outlay funds were used for the completion of phase 1.
Grants MainStreet’s Murals Project
- This project was launched to celebrate the history, culture, and identity of Grants while bringing new energy to downtown spaces.
- This project has sparked community pride, drawn visitors to the MainStreet district, and encouraged local businesses and property owners to invest in beautification efforts. It also provided an opportunity for collaboration between artists, students, and volunteers, strengthening social connections and community involvement.
Los Alamos MainStreet’s Business Accelerator
- The three cohorts of the Business Accelerator have been an incredible success story in their community. It launched as a MainStreet initiative but quickly became a joint effort between MainStreet and the Chamber of Commerce.
- This program resulted in 8 new businesses and 2 expansions, as well as vacant commercial spaces being utilized.
- Several of these business owners are incredible contributors to the community, through partnerships and cross collaborative programming as well as providing a service or option that did not exist before.
MainStreet Truth or Consequences’ Here’s Your Sign
- This project was done with funding from the New Mexico Resiliency Alliance. Businesses and local artists were connected to work on a mural or other signage on building exteriors.
- Businesses and artists worked together on a design, and the artists brought it to fruition.
- This project resulted in several local businesses receiving eye-catching improvements.
Tucumcari MainStreet’s Rail Depot
- The renovation of the depot had a meaningful impact on Tucumcari’s community by bringing new life to a historic landmark representative of their town roots.
- Restoring the depot preserved a piece of Tucumcari’s railroad heritage and created a welcoming space for locals and visitors to connect to their past. The depot now houses Tucumcari MainStreet’s office, the Railroad Museum, and a rentable community space in the Turner Room which was renovated in 2024. This renewed space is helping to draw more traffic downtown.
Zuni Pueblo MainStreet’s COVID Grant Program
- The Zuni Economic Relief Project helped artists who rely on tourism for their income, which was absent due to the pandemic. The project also helped local art businesses through purchases of raw materials.
- The program’s funds were utilized to purchase $8,400 of artwork from 70 artists during 4 events, provided $2,500 in credit lines at 4 local art businesses for 25 artists to purchase $100 in raw materials, and provided $100 micro-grants to 3 potters who utilize raw materials from Mother Earth for their pottery.
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