Silver City, Artesia, Portales and Nob Hill among those honored for excellence
SANTA FE- The New Mexico MainStreet Program celebrated its 25th Anniversary Saturday, August 14th, with an awards banquet in Albuquerque. The evening brought together representatives from all 23 New Mexico MainStreet communities, national MainStreet luminaries and various local leaders to honor the program’s Silver Anniversary.
“New Mexico MainStreet has been a vital part of our economic development over the last 25 years, helping to create more than 2,700 new businesses and over 9,300 jobs across the state,” said Economic Development Department Cabinet Secretary Fred Mondragón. “Congratulations to all of our member communities on this Silver Anniversary, and a special thanks to program director Rich Williams and his team for their dedication to making MainStreet a success.”
Handed out over the evening were five Awards for Excellence, five Friends of New Mexico MainStreet Centennial Legacy Project awards, and several individual awards. Below is a full list and synopsis of the awards:
MainStreet Awards for Excellence
Following a competitive nomination and selection process, New Mexico MainStreet deemed five communities worthy recipients of Awards for Excellence. These honors recognize the cumulative successes and achievements of local MainStreet organizations in each of Main Street’s Four Points: Organization, Design, Promotion, and Economic Positioning.™ Additionally, the Silver Star Award recognized one community for overall MainStreet Excellence using all four points. Cash awards were provided by the Friends of New Mexico MainStreet, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving New Mexico’s MainStreets.
Award for Overall Excellence in Design: Artesia MainStreet, Inc.
Artesia conducted a comprehensive set of activities that resulted in the improved appearance, functionality, investment in, and preservation of their MainStreet district. The award also included a $500 cash prize for the recipient to use to further preserve their district and/or improve its appearance and physical function.
Award for Overall Excellence in Organization: Nob Hill Main Street, Inc.
Nob Hill MainStreet, Inc. won this award for conducting a comprehensive program of activities that cumulatively developed, sustained, and enhanced the functionality of the MainStreet organization, its resources, and its capacity to revitalize their district. The award also included a $500 cash prize for the recipient to use to further enhance the local MainStreet organization and its operations.
Award for Overall Excellence in Promotion: Corrales MainStreet
Corrales captured this award for their promotional activities which cumulatively increased the popularity, use, customer base and positive image of their district. The award also included a $500 cash prize for the recipient to use to further promote and market Corrales MainStreet.
Award for Overall Excellence in Economic Positioning: Portales MainStreet Program
Portales was recognized for conducting a comprehensive series of activities that over time improved the community’s overall economy and attracted business investment to their MainStreet district. The award also included a $500 cash prize for the recipient to use to further strengthen the economy of the local MainStreet district.
The Silver Star Award: Silver City MainStreet
Silver City collected the Silver Star, the most prestigious of the 25th Anniversary Awards. The honor is designed to recognize one exceptional MainStreet organization whose cumulative successes across the Four Points and maintenance of a vibrant MainStreet organization serve as a model of comprehensive MainStreet revitalization. The Silver Star Award also included a $1,500 cash prize for the recipient to reinvest in any aspect of its MainStreet revitalization efforts.
Friends of New Mexico MainStreet Centennial Legacy Project Awards
The Centennial Legacy Project Awards were designed to fund a significant, lasting, and tangible enhancement to local MainStreet districts to be completed and dedicated as part of the New Mexico’s statehood Centennial in 2012. Through the generous support of the Friends of New Mexico MainStreet and other award sponsors, the three winning projects were awarded $20,000 in matching funds. Second Place award winners collected $10,000 each.
- Downtown Las Cruces Partnership: Construction of La Placita
- Clovis MainStreet: The Locomotive 9005 Project
- Silver City MainStreet: Installation of Big Ditch Park Interpretive History Signs
- Artesia MainStreet, Inc. (Second Place): Construction of Veterans’ Memorial Park
- MainStreet Las Vegas (Second Place): Installation of Downtown Way-Finding Signs
Also handed out at the ceremony were these individual awards:
- McCune Charitable Foundation New Mexico Leadership Award: Peyton Yates, Artesia MainStreet
- Friends of New Mexico MainStreet Community Development Award: McCune Charitable Foundation
###