About New Mexico MainStreet

Mission Statement

The New Mexico MainStreet Program fosters economic development in the state by supporting local MainStreet revitalization organizations and their work in downtowns and the adjacent neighborhoods.  The Program provides resources, education, training and services that preserve and enhance the built environment, local historic culture and heritage and stimulate the economic vitality of each participating community.

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, MainStreet works throughout New Mexico to help affiliated downtown organizations create an economically viable business environment while preserving local cultural and historic resources. 

The Program provides resources, education, training and technical services that stimulate the economic vitality of each participating community while celebrating local heritage and culture.  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.

New Mexico MainStreet 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.  MainStreet has been the premier organization that brings life to New Mexico’s downtowns since 1985.

New Mexico MainStreet currently serves 23 affiliated MainStreet projects and 6 state-authorized Arts and Cultural Districts.


View NM MainStreet Communities Map in a larger map

Background Information on New Mexico MainStreet

In the late-1970s the National Trust for Historic Preservation developed the Main Street Four Point Approach® to commercial district revitalization, a comprehensive strategy that encourages economic development within the context of historic preservation.  In 1985, the New Mexico State Legislature funded the New Mexico MainStreet Program to assist local communities implement this strategy. 

The New Mexico MainStreet Program was formed to “provide for the revitalization of central business districts in New Mexico communities based on the preservation and rehabilitation of existing structures of unique historical and architectural character and the development of progressive marketing and management techniques as an economic development strategy for local governments.”  Article 60B NMSA 1978

Since 1985, New Mexico MainStreet has been helping local communities revitalize their downtown commercial districts using the Main Street Approach® 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.  View New Mexico MainStreet’s reinvestment statistics here.

Communities Served by New Mexico MainStreet Program, 1985-2011

Current MainStreet Programs

ALBUQUERQUE – DOWNTOWN ACTION TEAM
ALBUQUERQUE – NOB HILL MAINSTREET
ARTESIA MAINSTREET
BELEN MAINSTREET PARTNERSHIP
CARLSBAD MAINSTREET
CLAYTON MAINSTREET
CLOVIS MAINSTREET
CORRALES MAINSTREET, INC.
DEMING
FARMINGTON DOWNTOWN ASSOCIATION – A MAINSTREET PROJECT
GRANTS MAINSTREET PROJECT
DOWNTOWN LAS CRUCES PARTNERSHIP
MAINSTREET DE LAS VEGAS
LOS ALAMOS MAINSTREET
LOVINGTON MAINSTREET CORPORATION
PORTALES MAINSTREET
RATON MAINSTREET
MAINSTREET ROSWELL
SILVER CITY MAINSTREET PROJECT
TAOS MAINSTREET
MAINSTREET TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCES
TUCUMCARI MAINSTREET
ZUNI MAINSTREET PROJECT

Click here for contact information.

Current Arts and Cultural Districts

Albuquerque Central Arts District Project
Las Vegas Arts and Cultural District
Los Alamos Creative District
Raton Historical Downtown Arts and Cultural District
Silver City Arts and Cultural District
Taos Arts and Cultural District

Click here for contact information.

Inactive MainStreet Communities

Albuquerque
   United South Broadway
Aztec
Bernalillo
Espanola
Gallup
Los Ranchos de Albuquerque
Ruidoso
Salt Mission Trails
   Estancia
   Moriarty
   Mountainair
Socorro
Taos

Past Satellites And Special Projects

Bayard
Belen
Capitan
Chama
Cochiti Lake
Doña Ana
Eunice
Espanola
Galisteo
Harding County
Los Lunas
Quemado
Questa
Roy
Santa Clara
Santa Rosa
Shiprock Chapter House, Navajo Nation
Springer
Zuni Pueblo