Santa Fe, N.M. – New Mexico MainStreet (NMMS) accepted seven new community economic development projects as part of the Frontier & Native American Communities (FNAC) and Urban Neighborhood Commercial Corridor (UNCC) Initiatives. Selected communities will receive NMMS professional services and technical assistance to implement their project within 12-18 months. Projects must demonstrate job creation and/or business development, leverage private sector investment, or enhance the community’s economic environment. In addition, the New Mexico Resiliency Alliance (NMRA) will award $5,000 seed grants to each community to support the project’s first phase.
“The NM Economic Development Department is proud to support projects that improve the local economy, make a positive impact, and support the community’s goals for growth and development,” Economic Development Secretary Alicia J. Keyes said.
The FNAC Initiative is a community-driven, asset-based economic development program that supports rural and Native American communities with less than 15,000 in population. The UNCC Initiative supports community economic development projects in cities with more than 50,000 in population.
“Selected projects will preserve and enhance local community assets, strengthen public/private partnerships, and motivate future development in the community. I look forward to supporting these communities and see these catalytic projects develop,” New Mexico MainStreet Director Daniel J. Gutierrez said.
“The NMRA is thrilled to provide these seed grants to launch these projects. We look forward to seeing how each community leverages these funds for their future success,” New Mexico Resiliency Alliance Board President Amy Barnhart said.
Accepted projects and assistance requested for the Frontier & Native American Communities & Urban Neighborhood Commercial Corridor Initiatives:
- Agua Fria Village
Create a Feasibility Study for the Agua Fria Community Center and a Fundraising Project Proposal for the River Walk. - Village of Cuba
Develop a Downtown/MainStreet Revitalization Plan based on the Main Street Approach™, assist with vacant buildings and fundraising. - City of Española
Develop the Española Main Street Vacant and Underutilized Property Project to inventory vacant properties and develop commercial & residential development plans. - Albuquerque International District
Revitalize the South San Mateo Mainstreet commercial corridor by documenting assets, community needs, and zoning to support micro-businesses with storefronts. - Mimbres Valley
Create the Mimbres Agricultural Cooperative for local food producers & consumers and transform vacant property into an agricultural park/marketplace. - Red River
Redevelop the Brandenburg Park and municipal parking lot for downtown events. - Tortugas Pueblo – Mesilla Valley
Complete the Tortugas Pueblo Revitalization Project to access aging buildings & ceremonial grounds and develop a plan for public infrastructure improvements.
Projects are selected through a competitive application process, which opened in November 2023. The number of projects selected each round is contingent on the New Mexico State Legislature’s annual funding appropriation to the NMMS Program. The FNAC Initiative was created by the Legislature in 2013 and has supported 39 projects in more than 37 rural communities. The UNCC Initiative began in 2021 has supported 4 projects in urban communities. Previous projects involve façade improvements, historic preservation, property redevelopment, planning, entrepreneur support, creative economy development, and/or promotion.
Selected communities fully participate in the program as a partner and engage their local governing body, county government, regional Council of Governments, Land Grant, or Tribal/Pueblo government to complete the project. Additionally, a stakeholder group of volunteers is required for project implementation.
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About New Mexico MainStreet (NMMS):
NMMS develops local capacity to engage people, rebuild places and grow the entrepreneurial, creative & business environment resulting in economically thriving downtowns, greater business & employment opportunities, and a higher quality of life. NMMS was founded in 1984 and currently serves 30 affiliated MainStreet Districts, 12 affiliated Arts & Cultural Districts, 6 Frontier & Native American Community projects, 4 Urban Neighborhood Commercial Corridor projects and 11 Historic Theaters. Learn more at nmmainstreet.org. NMMS is a program of the New Mexico Economic Development Department.
For Immediate Release: May 2, 2023
Contact: Jessica Mraz
Phone: (505) 365-3998
info@nmmainstreet.org
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