Santa Fe, NM - New Mexico MainStreet gathered in Artesia, Aug. 13, with local affiliates and public and private partners to celebrate 30 years of MainStreet's economic development and revitalization efforts in New Mexico.
"Governor Susana Martinez and I have worked to increase MainStreet investments over the past 4 and 1/2 years and will continue to promote this vital program that creates good jobs and revitalizes our downtowns, especially in our rural communities," said Economic Development Secretary Jon Barela, whose department oversees New Mexico MainStreet. "From new programs like our innovative Historic Theater Initiative, the Frontier Communities Initiative and the first Native-American MainStreet, New Mexico's a fantastic leader nationwide and I congratulate these award recipients for their invaluable contribution to the state's MainStreet Program."
The New Mexico MainStreet 30th Anniversary Commemorative Awards recognized the outstanding achievements and exceptional leadership among the state's local MainStreet organizations and partners. This year's recipients represent a broad range of individuals and organizations throughout New Mexico who have demonstrated successful approaches.
The 30th Anniversary New Mexico MainStreet Commemorative Awards recipients are: Peyton Yates, Jr., Friends of New Mexico MainStreet-Special Recognition Award; Nob Hill MainStreet-Outstanding Organization; Truth or Consequences MainStreet-Outstanding Promotion; Loving MainStreet-Outstanding Economic Positioning; Clovis MainStreet-Outstanding Architectural Design; Artesia MainStreet- Outstanding Placemaking; Grants MainStreet- Spirit of MainStreet; Los Alamos MainStreet-Spirit of Preservation; Manuel "Manny" Vasquez, President of Grants MainStreet Project,- Dallan Sanders Golden Whip Award; Dusty Huckabee, Roswell MainStreet - Mike Runnels MainStreet Innovation Award; and Tom Church, Cabinet Secretary, New Mexico Department of Tourism-Spirit of Partnership Award; and Anne McLaughlin, New Mexico Department of Transportation - Spirit of Partnership Award.
Since 1985, New Mexico MainStreet, has completed over 3,000 building renovations, secured over $286 million in private-sector reinvestments, constructed 107 new buildings, and created more than 3000 net new businesses, and more than 12,000 net new jobs. The program has a positive track record of job creation, historic restoration, and community engagement.
New Mexico MainStreet is a program of the New Mexico Economic Development Department and currently serves 27 MainStreet affiliates, eight Arts and Cultural districts, 10 Frontier Communities and six Historic Theater Initiatives across the state. For more information about New Mexico MainStreet log on to http://gonm.biz/community-development/mainstreet-program/.