**Media Advisory**
Governor Susana Martinez to Discuss Support for and Expansion of MainStreet Initiatives
Santa Fe — Governor Susana Martinez will join the New Mexico MainStreet Winter Leadership Network Meeting to discuss economic development proposals to expand MainStreet programs in communities throughout New Mexico. New Mexico MainStreet creates jobs and revitalizes the state’s historic areas of commerce, bringing businesses back to city centers and restoring historic structures in the heart of communities. In 2014, New Mexico MainStreet Districts gained 118 new businesses and saw a net gain of 612 new jobs.
“The New Mexico MainStreet Program has a proven track record of creating jobs, revitalizing New Mexico’s historic areas of commerce, bringing businesses back to city centers and restoring old, historic structures in the heart of our communities,” said Governor Martinez. “With MainStreet’s high return on investment, I believe we must continue to build on the success of this program that enhances our cities, improves quality of life and creates jobs for New Mexicans.”
The Governor will call for an expansion of MainStreet’s operating budget to support and expand the program in communities throughout the state, as well as a capital outlay appropriation through the New Mexico Economic Development Department for MainStreet infrastructure projects, and the creation of a Cultural Properties Tax Credit to encourage more investors to rehabilitate designated cultural properties, especially those located in Arts and Cultural Districts throughout New Mexico. The Cultural Properties Tax Credit will allow a taxpayer to claim a 50 percent credit on up to $100,000 for construction costs on a property within an Arts & Culture District and a 50 percent credit on up to $50,000 of constructions costs on a property outside an Arts & Culture District.
In 2013, Governor Martinez signed legislation creating the Frontier Communities Program, an economic development partnership designed specifically to serve New Mexico’s rural communities, coordinated through the MainStreet program. Additionally, the Pueblo of Zuni became the first Native American MainStreet community in the nation in 2012.
In 2014, New Mexico MainStreet Districts saw 118 net new businesses, supporting or creating 612 new jobs. MainStreet Districts also saw 174 private sector building rehabilitations and more than $8.5 million in private sector reinvestment. This year, New Mexico MainStreet celebrates its 30th anniversary. New Mexico MainStreet currently serves 27 affiliated MainStreet Districts, six state-authorized Arts & Cultural Districts, and seven Frontier Community projects. For more information about New Mexico MainStreet, visit http://nmmainstreet.org/.
When: 1:30 p.m. Wednesday February 18, 2015
Where: La Fonda Hotel
New Mexico Room
100 East San Francisco Street
Santa Fe, NM 87501
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