Introduction to New Mexico MainStreet
The New Mexico MainStreet Program is a grassroots economic development program that assists communities in revitalizing their traditional commercial neighborhoods. A program of the New Mexico Economic Development Department, New Mexico MainStreet works throughout the state to help affiliated downtown organizations create an economically viable business environment while preserving local cultural and historic resources. MainStreet is a consensus-building program that fosters community pride and encourages the growth of small businesses, consequently enhancing local employment and income opportunities, tax revenues, property values and general quality of life.
The MainStreet Program provides resources, education, training and technical services that stimulate the economic vitality of each participating community while celebrating local heritage and culture. MainStreet Program Associates provide free training sessions on town design, promotion and publicity, organization, and economic positioning. New Mexico MainStreet also sponsors architecture and community planning projects in member communities through the University of New Mexico Design Planning and Assistance Center (DPAC).
New Mexico MainStreet is affiliated with the National Trust Main Street Center in Washington, D.C., part of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The Program works within the National Trust Main Street Center's established Four-Point Approach™ of organization, design, promotion and economic positioning while tailoring to meet local needs and opportunities.
Since 1985, New Mexico MainStreet has been helping local communities revitalize their downtown commercial districts with remarkable results. Thousands of jobs have been created and millions of dollars in private funds have been invested in New Mexico’s Main Streets since the program began. From July 2007 to June 2008, MainStreet spawned 112 new businesses, generated $18,700,494 in public reinvestment, and gave rise to 569 new jobs.
Currently, 23 local MainStreet projects are members of New Mexico MainStreet. They are: Albuquerque (Downtown Action Team and Nob Hill), Artesia, Belen, Carlsbad, Clayton, Clovis, Corrales, Deming, Farmington, Grants, Hobbs, Las Cruces, Las Vegas, Los Alamos, Lovington, Portales, Raton, Roswell, Santa Rosa, Silver City, Truth or Consequences, and Tucumcari.
In spring of 2008, New Mexico MainStreet, EDD, and the New Mexico Tourism Department joined forces to re-launch the travel website Off the Road. The redesigned web site shows travelers where to shop and dine on main streets, town squares, and plazas in our member communities. When the site was originally launched in early 2006, it received national attention on CNN.com, USAToday.com and many others.
To find out more about New Mexico MainStreet, contact Rich Williams, Director of New Mexico MainStreet, (505) 827-0168 or Rich.Williams@state.nm.us
MainStreet Act, authorization language for the New Mexico MainStreet Program
Meet the NMMS Leadership and 2009-2010 Program Associates
MainStreet State Program Leadership
2009 Mainstreet Streetwise Newsletter