Santa Fe, N.M. — The New Mexico Economic Development Department (EDD) and New Mexico MainStreet (NMMS) accepted project proposals from the City of Aztec and the Town of Edgewood for NMMS’s Frontier, Rural, & Native American Communities Project-Based Initiative. NMMS’s Project-Based Initiatives provide free professional technical assistance to community economic development projects for 12-24 months. Projects must produce direct economic development outcomes in the form of business retention/creation, job creation, and/or property investment.
“The New Mexico MainStreet program is active in 32 communities across the state with another 13 Arts and Cultural Districts,” said EDD Secretary-Designate Rob Black. “These grants will restore a historic theater and improve a rural business district — enhancing the quality of life and economic vitality in both Aztec and Edgewood.”
“I’m proud to support Aztec and Edgewood’s revitalization projects and these vital partnerships. I look forward to seeing the positive impact the projects will have on these communities,” NM MainStreet Director Daniel J. Gutierrez said.
Aztec and Edgewood will also receive a $5,000 seed grant each from the New Mexico Resiliency Alliance, NMMS’s non-profit funding partner, to support their project’s implementation. Community projects are led by a local coordinator who works with their municipal or Tribal partner and group of stakeholders to complete the project within the timeframe.
Aztec will rehabilitate the Aztec Theater to preserve the historic building, re-open it to the community for screenings/performances, and create a tourism destination in the downtown district.
Edgewood will create wayfinding signage and identity markers to help travelers/locals find lodgings, restaurants, and services to positively impact local businesses and grow the Town’s GRT funding.
Aztec and Edgewood previously participated in NMMS’s Frontier, Rural, & Native American Communities Initiative in 2014. NMMS accepts Project-Based Initiative proposals on a rolling basis.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 12, 2025
Contact: Jessica Mraz
info@nmmainstreet.org
(505) 365-3998
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