Program helps jumpstart economic development for rural communities with less than 7,500 in population
Santa Fe, NM – The New Mexico Economic Development Department’s MainStreet program will accept applications for the latest round of Frontier Communities starting April 30. New Mexico MainSteet staff and consultants will hold three pre-application workshops throughout the state.
“The Frontier Communities Initiative is a great program to help rural communities that may not have the resources to become a full fledge MainStreet community but would like to participate on a smaller scale,” Secretary Jon Barela, Economic Development Cabinet Secretary. “As a Frontier Community, communities will have access the same professional resources provided to our MainStreet affiliates.”
Pre-Application Frontier Community workshops this year:
- May 5 – Española (San Pedro Community Center – Rio Arriba County Rd 8 #30) 10 a.m. – Noon
- May 7 – Tijeras (Village of Tijeras Hall, Council Chambers – 12 Camino Municipal) 10 a.m. – Noon
- May 12 – Mesilla (Town of Mesilla Community Center -2231 Avenida de Mesilla) 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Application will be available on April 30, 2015 and the submission deadline is July 7, 2015. Workshops will provide an overview of the initiative, review the application process, and assist interested communities in eligibility criteria. The workshops are not mandatory, however, communities sending representatives will receive 10 bonus points in the competitive application process.
“What is beneficial about being a Frontier Community is that we will focus on individual projects that revitalize older commercial districts and serve the economic needs of our communities.” said Daniel Gutierrez, deputy New Mexico MainStreet director and Frontier Communities Initiative coordinator.
Rural Communities under 7,500 are eligible to apply for the FY16 round of Frontier Communities Initiative economic development designations. The program focuses on helping communities with a key economic development project within a traditional or historic town or village center, the program brings resources and professional services as part of a partnership with the local community.
Past projects have included a Façade Squad in Wagon Mound repainting several older commercial properties along Railroad Avenue, a collaboration with NMDOT and the town of Moriarty for safety and landscaping improvements for the off interstate ramp onto old Historic Route 66, Revitalization Plans in Lordsburg and Hurley, and a first phase of village plaza improvements in Columbus.
Currently under way is an adaptive reuse of the historic school house in Anton Chico, the adoption of a Metropolitan Redevelopment Plan and Historic District nomination in Carrizozo, and a Revitalization Plan for the Historic District of Tularosa.
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