MainStreet Stories

How Brownfield Programs Support Historic Preservation and Community Revitalization in New Mexico MainStreet Districts

March 15, 2024

Rehabilitating brownfields plays a significant role in community revitalization, historic preservation, property renovation, and private investment. The positive effects from cleaning up brownfields ripple throughout the community leading to other investments and community revitalization projects, creating positive change and economic development opportunities. The land where the brownfield is located can…

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Choose MainStreet This Holiday Season

November 7, 2023

Jump to: Choose MainStreet • Holiday Events • Tips to Boost Holiday Events • ResourcesSmall Business Saturday: Graphics • Sample Press ReleaseTop 10 Reasons to Shop MainStreet: Generic Graphics • Local GraphicsSocial Media Posts • Previous Shop MainStreet Resources About Choose MainStreet Choose MainStreet is an initiative of New Mexico…

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Spotlight on the Promotion Point

July 27, 2023

Main Street America’s Main Street Approach™ is a time-tested framework used for community-driven revitalization. The Approach™ incorporates the four broad areas of Economic Vitality, Design, Organization, and Promotion (known as the Four Points) to implement Transformation Strategies. Work involving the Promotion Point positions the district as the hub of economic…

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Choose MainStreet for the Holidays

November 16, 2022

Small Business Saturday is November 26, 2022 Support local businesses on Small Business Saturday, Nov. 26, to make a big difference in the community! Small Business Saturday on Nov. 26 is a New Mexico Gross Receipts Tax Holiday. For this one day, the state suspends collection of gross receipts tax…

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Gov. Lujan Grisham announces $2.2 million state investment in Barelas MainStreet project

November 1, 2022

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: Nora Meyers SackettPress Secretary, Office of the Governornora.sackett@state.nm.us November 1, 2022 ALBUQUERQUE – Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Tuesday announced a $2.2 million state investment in the Barelas MainStreet project, supporting community growth and economic development by making safety improvements and streetscape enhancements increasing connectivity to area…

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New Mexico Wildfire Resources

May 4, 2022

New Mexico is experiencing devastating wildfires across the state and these tragic events are negatively impacting communities. The state is working with local, state, federal, and tribal agencies to battle several wildfires, and you can help communities by using these resources to support fire relief efforts. Donate to Fire Relief…

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Choose MainStreet Small Business & Entrepreneur Resources

May 2, 2022

MainStreets are the heart of the community and the perfect place for small businesses and entrepreneurs! MainStreets drive innovation because they create jobs and promote economic vitality. When small businesses locate in MainStreet, they’re part of a movement to create a thriving local economy and vibrant neighborhood that’s rich in…

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Las Vegas Great Blocks Groundbreaking

March 4, 2022

The City of Las Vegas and MainStreet de Las Vegas broke ground on the first two phases of their four phase Great Blocks public infrastructure project on March 2, 2022! Economic Development Cabinet Secretary Alicia J. Keyes and New Mexico MainStreet Director Daniel Gutierrez joined Las Vegas Mayor Louie Trujillo,…

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New Mexico MainStreet 2022 Virtual Winter Conference

February 16, 2022

Power Up Your District, Promote Entrepreneurship… Business Development Projects that Pop! The schedule is packed with panelists and speakers to stimulate conversations about projects that support businesses and entrepreneurs in your MainStreet and Arts & Cultural Districts. The Zoom login information will be emailed to registrants the week of the…

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2022 Legislative Session Reports: United to Support Recovery

January 25, 2022

The following reports were developed by New Mexico MainStreet (NMMS) for the 2022 Legislative Session. They include information on NMMS’s Capital Outlay funding request ($10 million), completed and in-progress public infrastructure projects and district success stories. Please review the reports and contact NMMS or your district’s Executive Director with any…

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Choose MainStreet This Holiday Season

November 12, 2021

MainStreet districts celebrate the holidays by supporting local businesses! New Mexico MainStreet’s annual holiday campaign urges communities, businesses, residents, and visitors to shop local first. Check your local MainStreet businesses before shopping elsewhere – you’ll find treasures and make a big difference in the community! New Mexico’s MainStreet and Arts…

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Outdoor Recreation Atlas Pilot Study

November 4, 2021

A partnership between New Mexico MainStreet (NMMS) and the New Mexico Outdoor Recreation Division (ORD)Prepared by NMMS Revitalization Specialist Amy Bell of Groundwork Studio Outdoor recreation opportunities can be connected to MainStreet downtowns to make a great impact on local, asset-based economic development. MainStreet communities are embracing these opportunities to…

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National Hispanic, Latinx and Chicana/o American Heritage Month 2021

September 23, 2021

New Mexico MainStreet is proud to celebrate National Hispanic, Latinx and Chicana/o American Heritage Month Sept. 15-Oct. 15, 2021! We honor the significant contributions Hispanic, Latinx and Chicana/o communities have made to New Mexico’s arts & culture, businesses, economic vitality and more. NMMS staff, revitalization specialists and district executive directors…

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Raton Thanks NMMS for the Great Blocks Project!

September 22, 2021

New Mexico MainStreet’s Great Blocks on MainStreet program is like “a façade squad on steroids,” said former NMMS director Rich Williams. It’s a redevelopment and placemaking program targeting significant public infrastructure deficiencies within New Mexico’s historic and downtown cores. The goal of the program is to increase economic activity, attract…

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Gallup’s Coal Avenue Commons Ribbon Cutting

August 27, 2021

Gallup Mayor Louie Bonaguidi officially cut the ribbon on Phase I of Gallup’s Coal Avenue Commons public infrastructure project on August 24, 2021! This project broke ground on July 13, 2020 and has been in the works since 2017. The City received a NEA Our Town Grant which was matched…

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2021 Legislative Session Reports: Laying the Groundwork for a Strong Recovery

January 27, 2021

Dear Legislators:The following brief reports were developed by the New Mexico MainStreet program (NMMS) for the 2021 Legislative session. The reports communicate the importance of the NMMS program to economic recovery efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic, the program’s legislative asks, priority infrastructure projects and success stories from our districts. Please…

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Downtown Silver City Strong Awards

December 11, 2020

Silver City MainStreet is acknowledging downtown businesses that have persevered during the COVID pandemic with Downtown Silver City Strong awards. The awards are a way to say thank you to businesses that have worked hard to stay open and find new and creative ways to operate. Silver City MainStreet is…

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Choose MainStreet Shop Local Campaign

November 24, 2020

New Mexico MainStreet’s Choose MainStreet social media campaign kicked off in September 2020. The goal of this campaign was to encourage New Mexicans to shop and eat (or order take-out) at their local MainStreet businesses. With the upcoming holiday shopping season and the COVID-19 economic recovery under way, it’s a…

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Small Business Saturday

November 18, 2020

Small Business Saturday is November 28, 2020. The New Mexico Economic Development Department (EDD) presents this informational webinar to help New Mexican business owners learn about the Small Business Saturday Gross Receipts Tax Holiday as well as promote virtual sales this holiday shopping season. Presented by:

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It Takes a Village to Build a Plaza, Silver City MainStreet

April 29, 2020

The long awaited Main Street Plaza has been completed and is one of the “key ideas” of the Town of Silver City’s Downtown Action Plan. Ten years in the making, it took support and funding from the Town of Silver City, state capital outlay funds from legislators Rudy Martinez, Rebecca…

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Choose MainStreet Social Media Graphics from Leighton Moon

April 9, 2020

Big thanks to Leighton Moon for designing these social media graphics that promote shopping and eating locally during the COVID-19 health crisis. Instructions: Save each file to the same folder on your computer. When you’re on Facebook (or Instagram or whatever other social media platform you might be using), pick…

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2019 Resilient Communities Fund Grants

March 3, 2020

The Resilient Communities Fund (RCF) is the flagship program of the New Mexico Resiliency Alliance (NMRA). Created in 2014 in partnership with the McCune Charitable Foundation and the New Mexico MainStreet Program (NMMS), the RCF provides small seed grants for locally-driven economic development projects in rural and underserved communities statewide.…

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Holiday Events in New Mexico’s MainStreet Districts

November 27, 2019

Below is a list of holiday events in New Mexico’s MainStreet and Arts & Cultural districts. By shopping, eating, and playing in your local district, you positively impact the local economy and community. Thank you for supporting local businesses this holiday season and all year! Alamogordo MainStreet: Olde Fashioned Christmas…

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Silver City “Strand”

August 23, 2019

This unique placemaking project addresses three streetscapes connecting Silver City’s main downtown street to their central recreational resource, The Big Ditch. Employing multiple temporary and permanent tactics, the project will create seasonal vending space for local artisans and performers, while strengthening sense of place with interpretive murals, lighting, and seating.…

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Tucumcari Great Blocks Breezeways

August 22, 2019

The renovations of two breezeways located within Tucumcari’s Great Blocks on Main Street project area will maintain momentum for the larger streetscape and infrastructure improvements project while providing valuable outdoor public space in the downtown. Major improvements focus on themes central to Tucumcari’s history and culture, including the railroad, agriculture,…

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Red Willow Farm, Taos Pueblo

August 22, 2019

As part of the Frontier and Native American Communities Initiative through New Mexico MainStreet, Taos Pueblo and the Red Willow Farm guided the development of a phased conceptual plan for this important agro-ecology and community wellness hub. This project will create a year-round arts, crafts, and local food vendor/demonstration area…

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Raton Great Blocks Placemaking Installations and Great Blocks on Main Street

August 22, 2019

As part of the educational content for New Mexico MainStreets Summer Leadership Network Meeting in 2018, Raton MainStreet and the City of Raton worked with NMMS technical assistance to develop designs for multiple placemaking installations, including a 3D “floating” crosswalk, wayfinding footprints, painted games, and portable benches/planters made out of…

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Silver City Polaris Parklet

August 22, 2019

This exciting partnership between a local business owner and Silver City MainStreet will result in an improved streetscape, public art display, and a public parklet for events and daily use. The streetscape improvements include slope stabilization, low-water use plantings and improved pedestrian access, and were completed in 2018, thanks to…

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Lovington MainStreet Wayfinding Signage and Plan

August 22, 2019

Lovington MainStreet is collaborating with the City of Lovington to develop design and an implementation plan for wayfinding signage downtown. The signage will convey the importance and evolution of the energy industry to Lovington, and will include gateway and directional signage. Our team is also evaluating opportunities to integrate interactive…

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Ex Novo Brewyard, Corrales MainStreet

August 21, 2019

An exemplary example of a public/private partnership created through the MainStreet approach, the design for the new Ex Novo Brewyard in Corrales creates a unique and valuable “third space.” Proposed improvements included recommendations for the newly renovated tap room patio and for phased development of a “brewyard” with vendor space,…

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Dolores Huerta Gateway Park, South Valley MainStreet

August 21, 2019

The Dolores Huerta Gateway Park serves as an important gathering space for community members as well as a key placemaking site for the La Familia Growers Market, the La Familia Growers Market Harvest Festival, and the I Love the South Valley Because Art Exhibit and future Art Crawl. The community…

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Deming Gateway Paver Inlay

August 21, 2019

Deming MainStreet, the City of Deming and local muralist Jesse Kriegle collaborated in the conceptual design for a “gateway” paver inlay at the intersection of Gold and Spruce Streets. The inlaid design, along with a colored concrete pavement will feature Mimbres inspired artwork, creating a sense of arrival at the…

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Clovis Parking Park

August 21, 2019

Clovis MainStreet and Curry County guided the development of a schematic design for a hybrid parking lot/park in downtown Clovis. The new “parking park” will create much needed vehicle storage space for the expanded County Judicial Complex and the adjacent library, while also providing valuable green open space in the…

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Cimarron Frontier Communities Initiative – Streetscape Improvements

August 21, 2019

Through the Frontier Communities Initiative of the New Mexico MainStreet Program, the Cimarron community has developed a proposal for targeted improvements to their downtown streetscape. Project goals are to improve public open space and accessibility for residents and attract additional visitors. This project advances the New Town portion of the…

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Red Ball Café Streetscape Improvements, Barelas

August 21, 2019

Targeted improvements to a historic icon in Barelas expand the café’s opportunity to serve the community, while simultaneously enhancing the character and safety of the 4th St. streetscape. Funded by a New Mexico Gas Company grant, improvements include repainting the sidewalk in the Barelas characteristic red/blue and white/blue checkers to…

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New Mexico MainStreet Announces Six Communities Awarded Funding for Façade Squad & Placemaking Projects

February 22, 2019

New Mexico MainStreet (NMMS) announced their partnership with New Mexico Gas Company for local MainStreet design initiative projects. New Mexico Gas generously matched NMMS’s technical assistance with $40,000 in seed funding. Congratulations Artesia MainStreet, Downtown Las Cruces Partnership, Raton Mainstreet, Barelas Mainstreet, Clovis MainStreet, and MainStreet de Las Vegas! Read more.

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‘Tis the Season to Look. Buy. Give. Shop MainStreet

December 6, 2018

New Mexico MainStreet (NMMS) kicked off the annual "Shop MainStreet" Campaign to help local communities develop Shop Local strategies to bring more people downtown for the holidays. Shop MainStreet builds awareness of the quality services and retail businesses in New Mexico’s MainStreet districts. We know that dollars spent with locally-owned businesses recirculate…

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Voices from New Mexico MainStreet

October 29, 2018

Those who work in MainStreet know it can be a challenge to answer the question "what does MainStreet do?" Executive Directors and Board Members have crafted their “elevator” pitch to summarize a large and multifaceted approach in just a few short sentences.  New Mexico MainStreet (NMMS) developed a series of…

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Focus on New Mexico Advocacy

June 18, 2018

National article on Main Street Advocacy features a Focus On: New Mexico Advocacy that highlights the work of New Mexico MainStreet, New Mexico Resiliency Alliance and the New Mexico Coalition of Main Street Communities on legislative issues. Advocacy is important to MainStreet organizations as their work is affected by government…

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Historic Icon in Barelas Keeps Community’s Cultural Traditions Alive

June 15, 2018

Barelas MainStreet is working to honor the legacy of B. Ruppe’s drugstore, New Mexico’s oldest drugstore and a center for traditional healing. They are raising funds to support and preserve the traditional healing practices of the community through training the next generation of traditional healers, providing wellness services to the…

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Power of Community Shines through in Mountainair

March 13, 2018

The community of Mountainair has been working to transform a vacant lot in the town into a cohesive and walkable space connecting the Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument Visitor Center, the Shaffer Hotel and the commercial district along Broadway (US 60). NMMS worked with the community to develop a Revitalization Plan and conceptual…

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Creating Thriving Places – Raton’s Historic First Street

March 8, 2018

1914 translation by H. Rackham Raton’s participation in Great Blocks on MainStreet drives an innovative redevelopment and creative placemaking project designed to catalyze three core blocks of the MainStreet District. The pilot-project addresses deficiencies identified in their Metropolitan Redevelopment Area (MRA) Plan, which cited failing public infrastructure dating from the…

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