Press Releases

EDD empowers communities with free technical assistance

February 12, 2026

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State program set to benefit Old Town Albuquerque, Hobbs, Placitas and Los Ranchos SANTA FE — The New Mexico Economic Development Department will provide free professional technical assistance to four communities to strengthen their local economies through its New Mexico MainStreet program. The Project-Based Initiatives program provides technical support for…

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Route 66 Centennial Passport spotlights MainStreet businesses

January 9, 2026

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Collect stickers in ten districts along the Mother Road SANTA FE — Ten New Mexico MainStreet districts along the iconic Route 66 highway invite travelers to visit local businesses and collect stickers as part of the Route 66 Centennial Passport program. Throughout 2026, visitors can collect all ten stickers in…

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New Mexico MainStreet celebrates 40 years of community development

October 16, 2025

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People and projects that made a significant local impact honored  SANTA FE — Since 1985, New Mexico MainStreet (NMMS), a program of the NM Economic Development Department, has supported communities across the state with free technical assistance and state Capital Outlay funding, resulting in downtown revitalization, physical improvements, job creation…

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San Pedro, Lordsburg officially designated as “NM MainStreet” programs

October 15, 2025

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EDD helps revitalize communities SANTA FE — After completing New Mexico MainStreet’s (NMMS) Accelerator Program, Revitalize San Pedro Partnership and Lordsburg Economic Advancement Project (LEAP) are now designated New Mexico MainStreet programs.  The districts completed NMMS’s Accelerator benchmarks under six main goals: organizational development, partnerships and collaborations, communication, outreach and engagement,…

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NM MainStreet invites travelers to get their kicks on Route 66

September 12, 2025

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History, culture, local pride shine across the Mother Road for its 2026 Centennial SANTA FE — From Tucumcari to Gallup, ten NM MainStreet districts along the iconic Route 66 highway welcome visitors to rediscover their small businesses, evocative places, and family-friendly events during the 2026 Centennial celebration. MainStreet’s community economic…

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State grant will fuel local creative economies

August 4, 2025

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Applications accepted through August 29 SANTA FE — The New Mexico Arts & Cultural Districts (ACD) Pilot Grant Program is a one-time collaborative initiative organized by New Mexico Arts, EDD’s Mainstreet program, and the Creative Industries Division to demonstrate the economic potential and cultural impact of directly funding state-authorized Arts…

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State program to revitalize downtown economies gets national recognition

June 23, 2025

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32 New Mexico MainStreet communities designated Main Street America programs SANTA FE — Thirty-two districts in New Mexico were designated as Main Street America programs and NM MainStreet has been relicensed as a Coordinating Program, one of more than 40 networks nationally working to create high-quality places and strong communities. Main…

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Seven NM districts win grants for economic development

June 12, 2025

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Resilient Communities Fund targets rural and underserved communities SANTA FE — NM MainStreet and the NM Resiliency Alliance awarded Resilient Communities Fund seed grants to economic development projects in seven MainStreet districts. Created in 2014 in partnership with the McCune Charitable Foundation, the Resilient Communities Fund provides seed grants that…

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NM MainStreet programs win national awards for excellence

April 22, 2025

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Raton and Alamogordo downtown districts recognized by Main Street America SANTA FE — Main Street America, an organization dedicated to reenergizing and strengthening older and historic downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts nationwide, announced prestigious awards for the Raton and Alamogordo MainStreet districts at the Main Street Now Conference in Philadelphia…

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Community economic development projects in Aztec, Edgewood to receive NM MainStreet technical assistance, grants

February 12, 2025

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Santa Fe, N.M. — The New Mexico Economic Development Department (EDD) and New Mexico MainStreet (NMMS) accepted project proposals from the City of Aztec and the Town of Edgewood for NMMS’s Frontier, Rural, & Native American Communities Project-Based Initiative. NMMS’s Project-Based Initiatives provide free professional technical assistance to community economic…

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NM MainStreet Celebrates Milestones of MainStreet Staff, Volunteers

February 5, 2025

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Santa Fe, N.M. – Today, the New Mexico Economic Development Department (EDD) and New Mexico MainStreet (NMMS) celebrated milestones and achievements of MainStreet staff and volunteers including training completion, professional certification, and long-term dedication. Thirty-nine leaders from NMMS’s state network were honored during NMMS’s Conference in Santa Fe with certificates…

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$6.6 Million in Capital Outlay Funding Awarded to Public Infrastructure Projects in Six New Mexico MainStreet Districts

December 2, 2024

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Eight Projects Matched Locally with $8 Million to Support Revitalization Efforts Santa Fe, N.M. – Today, the New Mexico Economic Development Department (EDD) and New Mexico MainStreet (NMMS) awarded $6.6 million in Capital Outlay funding to eight revitalization projects in affiliated NMMS Districts to improve safety, create vibrant destinations, and…

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Shop local and save this holiday season

November 22, 2024

Small Business Saturday tax holiday is November 30 SANTA FE, N.M. — The New Mexico Departments of Economic Development, Tourism, and Taxation and Revenue encourage New Mexicans and visitors to shop at small businesses during the holiday season. During the holiday giving season, it’s important to shop and dine at…

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Raton MainStreet is Semifinalist for 2025 Great American Main Street Award

October 1, 2024

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Raton is one of eight national organizations selected for outstanding downtown revitalization work Raton, N.M. – Today, the New Mexico Economic Development Department (EDD) announced that Raton MainStreet has been selected as a 2025 Great American Main Street Award (GAMSA) semifinalist by Main Street America. The GAMSA recognizes communities for…

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Historic Old Town Albuquerque Joins New Mexico MainStreet Network

May 6, 2024

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Albuquerque, N.M. – Today, New Mexico MainStreet (NMMS) welcomed Historic Old Town Albuquerque to NMMS’s network as part of the Urban Neighborhood Commercial Corridor (UNCC) Initiative. UNCC is one of NMMS’s Project-Based Initiatives that provides professional technical assistance to community projects during a 12-18-month timeframe. Projects must produce direct economic development…

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Thirteen New Mexico MainStreet Communities Receive Resilient Communities Fund Grants for Economic Development Projects

May 1, 2024

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Santa Fe, N.M.  – New Mexico MainStreet (NMMS) and the New Mexico Resiliency Alliance (NMRA), in partnership with the McCune Charitable Foundation, have awarded Resilient Communities Fund grants to economic development projects in thirteen NMMS communities. Grant funding leverages local resources and engages volunteers to complete an impactful project by the…

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Carlsbad’s Pearl of the Pecos Arts & Cultural District Granted State Authorization by the New Mexico Arts Commission

February 15, 2024

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Santa Fe, N.M. – After completing the Arts & Cultural District (ACD) Start Up Benchmarks, Carlsbad’s Pearl of the Pecos (POP) ACD has been granted State Authorization, the tenth New Mexico community to achieve this designation. State-Authorized ACDs receive additional incentives such as assistance with cultural plan development and historic…

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New Mexico MainStreet Designates Lordsburg and Revitalize San Pedro Partnership as New Accelerator Programs

January 31, 2024

Two NM Communities Closer to Achieving Main Street America Affiliation Santa Fe, N.M. – Today, New Mexico MainStreet (NMMS) welcomed Lordsburg Economic Advancement Project (LEAP) and Revitalize San Pedro Partnership (ABQ) as new Accelerator programs, a pathway for communities to achieve Main Street America affiliation. Both programs previously participated in…

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$10 Million in Capital Outlay Funding Awarded to Public Infrastructure Projects in New Mexico MainStreet Districts

December 6, 2023

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Strategic Investments Support Revitalization Efforts in 11 Communities to Improve Safety, Create Vibrant Destinations, and Support Local Economies Santa Fe, N.M. – Today, the New Mexico Economic Development Department (EDD) and New Mexico MainStreet (NMMS) awarded $10 million in Capital Outlay funding to 11 community revitalization projects in affiliated NMMS…

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New Mexico MainStreet Awards Certification to Seven MainStreet Leaders

September 13, 2023

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Eleven NM Communities Represented in Certified Executive Directors, Fundraising and Grantwriting Graduates Carlsbad, N.M.  – Today, New Mexico MainStreet (NMMS) announced seven MainStreet leaders have earned Executive Director Certification, marking the completion of a comprehensive training and skills development process. Certification is granted to affiliated NMMS leaders who successfully complete…

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Eleven New Mexico MainStreet Communities Receive Resilient Communities Fund Grants for Economic Development Projects

May 26, 2023

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Santa Fe, N.M.  – New Mexico MainStreet (NMMS) and the New Mexico Resiliency Alliance (NMRA), in partnership with the McCune Charitable Foundation, have awarded Resilient Communities Fund grants to economic development projects in eleven NMMS communities. Grant funding leverages local resources and engages volunteers to complete an impactful project by the…

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Seven Community Economic Development Projects Will Receive NM MainStreet Technical Assistance, $5,000 Seed Grants from NM Resiliency Alliance

May 2, 2023

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Santa Fe, N.M. – New Mexico MainStreet (NMMS) accepted seven new community economic development projects as part of the Frontier & Native American Communities (FNAC) and Urban Neighborhood Commercial Corridor (UNCC) Initiatives. Selected communities will receive NMMS professional services and technical assistance to implement their project within 12-18 months. Projects must…

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Small Business Saturday is this weekend. Shop local, save money!

November 21, 2022

Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham TRD Cabinet Secretary Stephanie Schardin Clarke EDD Cabinet Secretary Alicia J. Keyes Media Contact: Charlie Moore charlie.moore@tax.nm.gov(505) 670-5406Download as a PDF November 21, 2022 Santa Fe, N.M. – The New Mexico Departments of Economic Development, Tourism, and Taxation and Revenue are encouraging New Mexicans to shop…

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Application for NM MainStreet’s Frontier & Native American Communities and Urban Neighborhood Commercial Corridor Initiatives Now Open

November 14, 2022

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Submit Community Economic Development Projects for Consideration by January 20, 2023 Santa Fe, N.M. – New Mexico MainStreet (NMMS) is now accepting applications for new community economic development projects as part of the Frontier & Native American Communities (FNAC) and Urban Neighborhood Commercial Corridor (UNCC) Initiatives. Selected communities will receive NMMS…

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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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$10 Million Awarded to 14 Capital Outlay Projects in New Mexico MainStreet and Arts & Cultural Districts

October 20, 2022

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Public Infrastructure Investments Support the Revitalization of Communities Statewide Santa Fe, N.M. – Today, the New Mexico Economic Development Department (NMEDD) and New Mexico MainStreet (NMMS) awarded $10 million in Capital Outlay funding to 14 MainStreet and Arts & Cultural Districts for community revitalization projects. The NMMS Capital Outlay program funds…

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New Mexico MainStreet Honors Outgoing Silver City Executive Director Charmeine Wait with Spirit of MainStreet Award

September 29, 2022

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Santa Fe, N.M. – New Mexico MainStreet (NMMS) presented a Spirit of MainStreet Award to Silver City MainStreet’s Executive Director, Charmeine Wait, for her outstanding dedication and leadership at NMMS’s annual Fall Institute on September 14, 2022. Along with her partners, Charmeine has accomplished many revitalization projects in the community…

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New Mexico MainStreet Awards Executive Director Certification to Corrales, Farmington and Ruidoso Leaders

September 29, 2022

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Santa Fe, N.M. – New Mexico MainStreet (NMMS) announced that Angela Gutierrez of Corrales MainStreet, Karen Lupton of Downtown Farmington and Kendra King of Ruidoso Midtown Association have been awarded Executive Director certification. Certification is granted to affiliated NMMS Directors who complete training on the Main Street Approach™, fundraising and…

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Sixteen New Mexico MainStreet-Affiliated Communities Receive Resilient Communities Fund Grants for Economic Development Projects

April 29, 2022

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Santa Fe, N.M. – Today, the New Mexico Resiliency Alliance (NMRA), in partnership with the McCune Charitable Foundation and New Mexico MainStreet (NMMS), announced sixteen NMMS-affiliated communities have been awarded Resilient Communities Fund grants. Grants support economic development projects and leverage local resources to engage volunteers and complete an impactful…

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New Mexico MainStreet Awards Executive Director Certification to Carlsbad, Deming and Nob Hill Leaders

February 23, 2022

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Santa Fe, N.M. – Today, New Mexico MainStreet (NMMS) announced it has awarded certification to three Executive Directors. Certification is awarded to affiliated NMMS Executive Directors who complete training on the Main Street Four-Point Approach™, fundraising and grantwriting. Training courses are led by NMMS’s Revitalization Specialists, experts in their professional…

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New Mexico MainStreet Accepts Ten New Community Economic Development Projects

July 30, 2021

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Six Frontier & Native American Communities and Four Urban Neighborhood Commercial Corridor Projects Selected in Competitive Application Process Santa Fe, N.M. – New Mexico MainStreet (NMMS) accepted ten new community economic development projects for the Frontier & Native American Communities (FNAC) and new Urban Neighborhood Commercial Corridor (UNCC) Initiatives. Both…

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NM MainStreet & Outdoor Recreation Division Partner on “Outdoor Recreation Asset Atlas” Pilot to Identify Outdoor Recreation Projects in MainStreet Districts

April 7, 2021

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McKinley, Sierra, San Juan, Colfax, and Lincoln Counties Selected for Initial Study Santa Fe, N.M. – The New Mexico Economic Development Department (NMEDD) announced the launch of an innovative New Mexico MainStreet (NMMS) and Outdoor Recreation Division (ORD) collaboration to connect communities’ downtowns with their natural resources. NMMS and ORD…

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New Mexico MainStreet’s Virtual Winter Conference Will Focus on “Creating a Climate of Confidence” in Districts, Business Community

February 24, 2021

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Conference on March 5 & 12, 2021 is Free and Open to the Public Santa Fe, N.M.  – New Mexico MainStreet’s (NMMS) annual Winter Conference will be virtual this year and focus on “Creating a Climate of Confidence: COVID and Beyond.” New Mexico’s MainStreet practitioners, partners, and other interested individuals…

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New Mexico MainStreet Recognizes Raton MainStreet’s Executive Director for Outstanding Achievements & Dedication

November 13, 2020

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Brenda Ferri Nominated for Main Street America’s Mary Means Leadership Award Raton, N.M. – New Mexico MainStreet (NMMS) nominated Raton MainStreet Executive Director Brenda Ferri for the Main Street America Mary Means Leadership Award earlier this year for her outstanding dedication to downtown revitalization. On October 30, Main Street America…

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New Mexico MainStreet Awards Certification to 11 Executive Directors

October 23, 2020

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Santa Fe, N.M. – New Mexico MainStreet (NMMS) announced 11 NMMS Executive Directors have been awarded official certification, the largest of any cohort in NMMS’s 36-year history. NMMS and the New Mexico Economic Development Department present this certification to Executive Directors who have completed the following courses: The Fundamentals of…

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Lovington MainStreet’s Local Innovators Institute Inaugural Program Thriving, Funded for Next Year

July 10, 2020

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Food Service Accelerator Program Supported Five Restaurant Entrepreneurs Lovington, N.M. – Lovington MainStreet welcomed five entrepreneurs to the first cohort of the Local Innovators Institute in February 2020. After successfully completing seven weeks of educational and hands-on training, Lovington is getting to taste a variety of cuisines in downtown. Since…

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Economic Development Department Ramps Up Public Outreach: Agency Provides Ongoing Webinars to Help Businesses and Communities

April 14, 2020

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SANTA FE, N.M. – The New Mexico Economic Development Department is announcing 10 additional webinars to help business owners and community developers maximize their online footprint and to navigate federal and state economic emergency assistance. “Small businesses in New Mexico are hurting, as they are everywhere during this unprecedented health…

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5 New Frontier & Native American Community Projects Funded

November 26, 2019

SANTA FE, N.M. – New Mexico MainStreet (NMMS) has accepted economic development projects from five rural communities as part of the Frontier & Native American Communities Initiative: Picuris Pueblo, Pueblo of Laguna, Pueblo of Pojoaque, the Village of Folsom, and the City of Lordsburg. These communities receive professional services and…

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New Mexico MainStreet Announces $4 Million for Public Infrastructure Revitalization Projects

November 25, 2019

SANTA FE, N.M. – New Mexico MainStreet (NMMS) and the New Mexico Economic Development Department has awarded $4 million for revitalization projects through the MainStreet Capital Outlay Public Infrastructure Program in 11 MainStreet communities: Alamogordo, Barelas, Belen, Farmington, Gallup, Las Vegas, Lovington, Raton, Roswell, Silver City, and Tucumcari. The MainStreet…

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Santa Rosa MainStreet receives accreditation

October 23, 2019

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Santa Fe, N.M. – Santa Rosa MainStreet has graduated from the MainStreet Accelerator program and is now an accredited New Mexico MainStreet community. Santa Rosa MainStreet began the accelerator program in July 2018 via a joint application by the City of Santa Rosa and the Guadalupe County Development Corporation (GCDC).…

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Cimarron Awarded Grants to Complete Scenic Byway Project

August 22, 2019

Placemaking Project Ten Years in the Making Set to Complete in October 2019 Santa Fe, N.M. – New Mexico MainStreet and New Mexico Resiliency Alliance announced today that Cimarron Alive has received a $12,500 Resilient Communities Fund grant to support the completion of the Scenic Byway Trail project along U.S.…

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Daniel J. Gutierrez named Director of N.M. MainStreet

July 22, 2019

SANTA FE, N.M. – Economic Development Cabinet Secretary Alicia J. Keyes has named Daniel J. Gutierrez, a cultural anthropologist who has been working in economic development for over a decade, as director of the New Mexico MainStreet program. Gutierrez has been involved in New Mexico MainStreet since 2014 and worked…

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Rich Williams to Retire as New Mexico MainStreet Co-Director

April 24, 2019

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Santa Fe, N.M. – Today, Economic Development Secretary Alicia J. Keyes announced that Co-Director Rich Williams will retire from the New Mexico MainStreet program at the end of the month. Williams has directed the New Mexico MainStreet program for more than 16 years where he was dedicated to creating economic…

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New Mexico MainStreet Announces New Frontier Communities

May 23, 2018

Santa Fe, N.M. – Today, New Mexico MainStreet announced that the communities of Cimarron, Conchas Dam, Rodeo, and Taos Pueblo have been selected to participate in MainStreet’s Frontier Communities Initiative. The Frontier Communities Initiative is project based and designed to serve New Mexico’s rural communities, less than 7,500 in population,through…

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New Mexico Economic Development Department Announces $500,000 in Funding for Revitalization Projects in NM MainStreet Communities

January 13, 2016

Santa Fe, NM – Today, the New Mexico Economic Development Department (NMEDD) announced that New Mexico MainStreet (NMMS) will award Artesia, Clovis, Grants, Los Alamos, Mora, Truth or Consequences and Tucumcari a combined $500,000 in MainStreet capital outlay funds for economic revitalization projects. “Our MainStreet program has a proven track…

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New Mexico MainStreet Announces New Frontier Communities for Fiscal Year 2016

September 1, 2015

Santa Fe, NM – New Mexico MainStreet Announces the communities of Eagle Nest, Mountainair, Santa Clara, Santa Rosa, Springer, Tularosa, and Villanueva have been selected for this year’s Frontier Communities Initiative. The Frontier Communities Initiative was established by the New Mexico Legislature and signed into law by Governor Martinez in…

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Governor Susana Martinez Announces Fiscal Year 2014 Frontier Communities

October 17, 2014

Community Economic Development Partnership Tailored to Serving Rural Communities Questa – Governor Susana Martinez announced the New Mexico communities of Anton Chico, Aztec, Carrizozo, Edgewood, Galisteo, Magdalena, Questa, and Tularosa have been selected for this year’s New Mexico Frontier Communities Program. Signed into law by Governor Martinez last year, this…

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New Mexico Economic Development Department’s MainStreet Program Announces Expansion of Frontier Communities Initiative

April 9, 2014

Lordsburg and Carrizozo will benefit from unutilized funding which allows for the additional assistance Santa Fe – The New Mexico MainStreet program in the New Mexico Economic Development Department announces the expansion of its Frontier Communities Initiative. Unutilized funding willallow the addition of Lordsburg to the initiative and for further…

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Governor Susana Martinez and Secretary Jon Barela Announce $100,000 in MainStreet Capital Outlay Funding for Reichman Memorial Park in Downtown Roswell

September 4, 2013

Roswell – Governor Susana Martinez and Economic Development Cabinet Secretary announced$100,000 in capital outlay funding today for MainStreet Roswell for use toward updates to Reichman Memorial Park in downtown Roswell. The city of Roswell identified this as a priority project during thecreation of its downtown master plan. State funding for…

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Governor Susana Martinez and Secretary Jon Barela Announce $137,000 in MainStreet Capital Outlay for Phase II of Silco Theater Renovations

August 20, 2013

Restoration of New Mexico’s historic theaters designed to revitalize rural downtowns Silver City – Today Governor Susana Martinez and Economic Development Cabinet Secretary Jon Barela announced that the Silver City MainStreet and Town of Silver City will receive $137,000 in MainStreet capital outlay for phase II of renovations for the…

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Governor Susana Martinez Announces Seven Rural Communities Awarded Assistance from Newly-Created Economic Development Frontier Communities Initiative

August 6, 2013

Santa Fe – Governor Susana Martinez today announced that seven rural communities in New Mexico have been awarded technical assistance and services from the newly-created Frontier Communities Initiative. Signed into law by Governor Martinez in April 2013, the initiative is a community economic development partnership coordinated through the Economic Development…

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The New Mexico Economic Development Department’s MainStreet Program Now Accepting Applications for Arts and Cultural Districts

July 2, 2013

Applications due September SANTA FE – The New Mexico Economic Development Department announced that its MainStreet program is now accepting applications for communities interested in becoming an Arts and Cultural District (ACD). The MainStreet Program will select two communities for state authorization this fall. The ability to add additional Arts…

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