NM MainStreet celebrates 32 nationally designated programs in 2026
New Mexico’s 32 districts are part of a national network of 1,291 organizations who earned designation as Main Street America programs this year. Through the annual accreditation process, these programs proved their commitment to preservation-based economic development and community revitalization through the Main Street Approach™.
In 2025, designated programs generated more than 6,900 new businesses, 10,623 historic building rehabilitations, and a record-breaking $9.4 billion in local reinvestment nationally.
Main Street America recognizes two tiers of national designation, Accredited and Affiliated. New Mexico has 29 Accredited and 3 Affiliated districts. Designations indicate the Main Street program holds an established position within a national movement and has a proven track record of generating transformative economic returns, fostering welcoming communities and creating lasting positive impact.
Learn more about Main Street America’s framework, standards and designation here.
Resilient Communities funding awarded to MainStreet districts
Eight MainStreet districts were awarded Resilient Communities Fund grants by New Mexico MainStreet’s funding partner to support revitalization efforts and small businesses across the state.
The Resilient Communities Fund, the New Mexico Resiliency Alliance’s flagship program, enhances the economic vibrancy and quality of life in rural and underserved communities. The Alliance works in partnership with the McCune Charitable Foundation and the New Mexico MainStreet program to leverage funding, New Mexico MainStreet’s free technical assistance and collaborative partnerships to support long term community revitalization.
“These projects will enhance the vibrancy, local reinvestment and aesthetic appeal in these communities and make a positive impact on local small businesses,” said NM MainStreet Director Daniel J. Gutierrez.
“We celebrate these impactful projects and the long-term change they will make in these communities,” said New Mexico Resiliency Alliance Board President Lucas Pedraza.
Awarded projects include:
- Alamogordo MainStreet: A cooperative advertising campaign and First Friday event series will increase awareness, customer foot traffic and economic activity for downtown small businesses.
- Belén Historic Downtown Partnership: Tour maps will showcase downtown historic buildings, film locations, cultural assets, retail outlets and eateries to encourage tourism, economic activity and social connection.
- Deming Luna County MainStreet: Downtown history storyboard displays will activate underused spaces to add visual interest, strengthen a sense of place and give visitors a reason to spend time in the business district.
- Grants MainStreet Project: The MainStreet Energy-Efficient Neon Light Revitalization Project will install decorative lighting on five properties to preserve Route 66’s historic character, enhance the visual appeal and highlight businesses.
- Harding County MainStreet: Funding will support The Art’s Country Store’s expansion of offerings, improve curb appeal, grow operational capacity and strengthen local community ties.
- Lordsburg Economic Advancement Project: The Gateway Activation Project will install billboards to engage visitors, reduce blight, reinforce community identity and strengthen community resilience.
- Mora MainStreet Arts & Cultural Compound: The Mora Creative Accelerator will provide practical tools to emerging entrepreneurs to help them convert their creative skills into sustainable income.
- MainStreet Truth or Consequences: The Socially Savvy T or C Project will train small business owners on social media marketing and content production to attract customers, increase economic activity and promote the business district as a destination.
NM MainStreet’s Project-Based Initiatives welcome two communities
NM MainStreet welcomed two communities to their Frontier & Native American Communities Initiative this month, the Pueblo of Nambé and Town of Bernalillo.
NM MainStreet’s Project-Based Initiatives provide free technical support for economic development projects in communities for 12-24 months. Proposals are accepted on a rolling basis and must show direct economic development outcomes in the form of business retention/creation, job creation and/or property investment.
Supported projects include:
- Pueblo of Nambé will create a feasibility study, master development plan and market analysis for their gateway center which will support regional outdoor recreation and cultural tourism. Additionally, NM MainStreet’s technical assistance will support business planning, financial modeling and fundraising research.
- Town of Bernalillo will create wayfinding and branding for the Town Cultural Campus. This project will include brand strategy development, visual identity, social media creation, brand guidelines and wayfinding design for the community.
This will be the first NM MainStreet-supported project for both Nambé and Bernalillo.
NM MainStreet has supported more than 95 communities across the state to build capacity for local economic revitalization, enhance the entrepreneurial and creative economy and create thriving places.
Photo credit: Town of Bernalillo.
NM MainStreet’s annual Budget & Salary Survey highlights community impact
Every year, New Mexico MainStreet surveys its state-designated MainStreet programs to capture local budgets, fundraising success and staff compensation. These insights inform advocacy for fair compensation and demonstrate the impact these organizations make in their communities.
Read the 2025 insights on our website.
Join NM MainStreet at the 2026 Institute in Gallup this September
Save the date for NM MainStreet’s Institute in Gallup MainStreet Arts & Cultural district from Sept. 23–25. Institute events are three days of hands-on learning, collaboration and inspiration in one of New Mexico’s designated MainStreet districts as a learning lab.
Thank you to Gallup for welcoming our network of community economic developers to their city this fall.
More details on registration, lodging and the agenda are coming soon!
View the full newsletter here.