New Mexico MainStreet (NMMS) will celebrate our 30th Anniversary this year. As we look toward this milestone, we reflect on how this program has touched the many communities that have been part of NMMS.
The Economic Impact Analysis showed us that significant funds have been invested into properties and businesses and that jobs have been created. But there are intangibles that reach beyond the numbers. Intangibles like the sense of a community that is created when these historic commercial centers, the heart and soul of communities, are once again pulsing with new life. And the impact to business owners when they see the parking spaces filled on the street and families shopping in their businesses. The feeling of pride the district feels when streets and sidewalks are repaired, facades are painted and flowers are planted. These are all part of the revitalization process of NMMS.
But the impact doesn’t stop there. The coaching and training provided by NMMS includes everything from Professional Development to Board Retreats to Event Planning to Historic Preservation to Business Retention to Fundraising and just about everything in between. The “hands-on” model of providing learning in the communities as well as in regional settings, offers staff and board members the opportunity to add new skills and tools to their personal, and MainStreet, toolbox.
As we began to explore this idea, we asked NMMS Executive Directors about how the program has impacted their programs and each of them personally. Here are some of their responses:
Clovis MainStreet has received professional support from NMMS not only in projects and development, but in the creation of planning documents, DPAC studies and the creation of a Metropolitan Redevelopment Ordinance that have been key in the progress that we have made as an organization. We look back at the first strategic plan, streetscape plan and DPAC that NMMS program associates and contractors helped us to develop and they are now a checklist of projects that have been accomplished. Not only have we completed projects, but also the NMMS staff has walked with us through different challenges that our organization has faced, supporting and encouraging our board and staff. NMMS is truly a partner to Clovis MainStreet in our efforts to revitalize our district. ~ Lisa Pelligrino-Spears, Clovis MainStreet Executive Director and Lisa Dunagan, Clovis MainStreet Board President
Over the last five years, Clayton MainStreet, with the help of NMMS, has invested approximately $800,000 into the local Luna Theater. The Luna is a registered historic property and is the only working Movie Theater within 85 miles of Clayton – in any direction. The community loves our effort in keeping the Luna open. ~ LeRoy Woods, Clayton Main Street Executive Director
NMMS has provided me with some excellent training since I became an Executive Director in September 2014. Raton MainStreet has also received the very first Great Blocks of NMMS Grant. I wouldn’t have been able to write that grant without the training I received in the NMMS Grant Writing Academy. ~ Brenda Ferri, Raton MainStreet Executive Director
The application process to be selected as an Emerging MainStreet Community has positively affected business leaders, elected officials, and interested citizens into thinking of the “what ifs” and the “why not” possibilities of improving our community, turning cynicism into positive possibility thinking. ~ Dr. Terry Marquardt, Alamogordo MainStreet Chairman
NMMS has had a tremendous impact on the Grants MainStreet Project. Without the assistance from Rich, Julie, Eduardo, Amy, Robyne, Keith, Will and Charlie we would not be as successful as we are today. We have had the privilege of the NMMS Associates training our board members and committee’s to better our program in the Four Approach Point© . With the Placemaking Grant that we received in 2013, we were able to revitalize the Rio San Jose Riverwalk Amphitheater and have our first annual Rockin’ the Riverwalk Music Fest in the summer of 2014. This venue is not new to our area, but it had not been used in over ten years. And as you can imagine, the venue was in very poor condition before the revitalization. The City of Grants contributed funding for Grants MainStreet Project to host and coordinate live local bands and dance groups that performed every Saturday from the end of July to the middle of September (9 concerts total). The music fest and the revived venue really brought our community together and gave the people something to be proud of! ~ Bianca Mitchell, Grants MainStreet Executive Director
My biggest challenge is being specific, as New Mexico MainStreet has impacted our MainStreet Partnership in training, coaching, and professional development in a huge way. Our city has been hit hard with the economic downturn and NMMS has provided assistance with our Downtown Master Plan, grant opportunities and design consultation, just to name a few. ~ Rhona Espinoza, Belen MainStreet Partnership Executive Director
New Mexico MainStreet has been an enormous asset for Truth or Consequences. Over the past 5 years, they have assisted us in developing a strong organization through technical assistance and training. Additionally, we received capital outlay that enabled us to develop our Downtown Master Plan that will guide us as we move forward. ~ Linda DeMarino, MainStreet Truth or Consequences Executive Director