Programs Recognized for Success in Historic Preservation and Community Revitalization
Santa Fe, NM – Today, the New Mexico Economic Development Department announced that 16 New Mexico MainStreet programs are receiving national recognition for work in their communities. The programs are receiving accreditation from the National MainStreet Center for their success in demonstrating high-capacity results in preserving historic sites and revitalizing their communities. The MainStreet program is a proven job creator, having created more than 3,400 new businesses and 12,000 new jobs in New Mexico since 1985.
“Our New Mexico MainStreet communities continue to perform at a high level and national accreditation recognizes their hard work in downtown revitalization,” said Economic Development Secretary Jon Barela. “We are proud of the accomplishments of these communities and their contributions in fueling New Mexico’s economic growth at the local level through New Mexico’s asset-based economic development approach.”
The accreditation will allow for the programs to apply for new grants and state funding for projects. New Mexico’s MainStreet program has put more than $290 million into projects, constructed more than 100 new buildings, and for every $1 taxpayers have invested, the program has leveraged $43 locally back into the state.
Each year, the National MainStreet Center and its partners announce the list of accredited MainStreet programs in recognition of their exemplary commitment to historic preservation and community revitalization through the MainStreet four-point approach. Programs must gain support from both the public and private sectors, have an operating budget, have performance measures in place to track organizational progress, and demonstrate historic preservation ethic.
The New Mexico programs being recognized are: Downtown ABQ MainStreet, Artesia MainStreet, Carlsbad MainStreet, Clovis MainStreet, Corrales MainStreet, Deming MainStreet, Farmington Downtown Association/MainStreet, Grants MainStreet Project, Downtown Las Cruces Partnership, MainStreet de Las Vegas, Los Alamos MainStreet, Lovington MainStreet, Nob Hill MainStreet, Raton MainStreet, Silver City MainStreet, and MainStreet Truth or Consequences.
In addition, Los Alamos MainStreet was one of two recipients of the 2016 Ones to Watch award for places that are excelling with the MainStreet approach to improving their downtown.
“Once again, New Mexico should be proud of the efforts of its local MainStreet programs with 16 communities earning the designation of Nationally Accredited MainStreet programs. Achieving this designation recognized the outstanding organizational commitment of dedicated volunteers and staff in these communities,” said Patrice Frey, president and CEO of the National MainStreet Center.
New Mexico MainStreet is part of a national network that has been helping revitalize older and historic commercial districts for more than 35 years. Today it is a network of more than 1,600 neighborhoods and communities, rural and urban, who share both a commitment to building stronger communities. MainStreet America is a program of the nonprofit National MainStreet Center, a subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
A program of the New Mexico Economic Development Department, New Mexico MainStreet works throughout the state to help affiliated local organizations create an economically viable business environment while preserving cultural and historic resources. New Mexico MainStreet currently serves 27 affiliated MainStreet Districts, eight state-authorized Arts & Cultural Districts, 14 Frontier Community projects, and eight Historic Theater Initiatives.
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