The Resilient Communities Fund (RCF) is the flagship program of the New Mexico Resiliency Alliance (NMRA). Created in 2014 in partnership with the McCune Charitable Foundation and the New Mexico MainStreet Program (NMMS), the RCF provides small seed grants for locally-driven economic development projects in rural and underserved communities statewide. Awarded funds leverage local matching resources, build local capacity via project-specific technical assistance, and engage local community volunteers.
In 2019, McCune invested $50,000 in 11 community economic development projects via the RCF; grants ranged from $2,500 to $10,000 per community. From these RCF projects alone, McCune’s $50,000 investment leveraged an additional $155,830 ($86,160 cash match, $40,920 in-kind donations, and $28,750 in technical assistance provided by NMMS Revitalization Specialists.) An additional 1,052 hours in volunteer contributions is valued at $22,302 (via Independent Sector, 2018 NM rates).
2019 Resilient Communities Fund Projects:
Alamogordo MainStreet’s High Five! Downtown Business Funding (final event on 3/10/20)
High Five! is a community-supported crowdfunding event. Community members are presented with projects that would positively impact downtown Alamogordo and vote on the project they want to support with donations from the door and generous support from community partners.
Cimarron Scenic Byway Placemaking (April 2020 expected completion)
The byway will include historical displays along five blocks that serve as a major tourist attraction and pedestrian access point between Cimarron’s New and Old Town sections. The project seeks to improve the byway’s usability and safety by enhancing the landscape, beautifying the park, and adding a pedestrian crossing, shade structures, street/sign lighting, and a vault restroom.
Deming MainStreet Mimbres Mural (completed!)
“The mural is part of Deming MainStreet’s downtown beautification project to help bring visitors to the downtown retail district” reported the Deming Headlight.
The mural compliments Deming’s Leyendecker Fountain project and branding theme for downtown. The results from this project and other MainStreet projects in the immediate vicinity continue to improve the overall usage and desire for entrepreneurs to locate in the heart of the district.
Downtown Farmington‘s Hidden Garden and “The Hideaway” (March 2020 expected completion)
This is a phased design to transform a vacant lot into a community gathering space to support upcycling workshops, small events, and arts/crafts fairs. The courtyard design includes phased improvements such as repurposing the old greenhouse structure for shade and lighting, upcycling the existing corn husker into a fountain, and renovating a trailer into a stage. Additional improvements include workshop benches and seating, a children’s play area, and murals.
The project, while not complete, has garnered a lot of support and has already been used for several special events.
Gallup Main Street Arts & Cultural District‘s Alleyway Mural Project “Art This Way” (April 2020 expected completion)
This project was developed with gallupARTS to bring art to one block of alleyway in downtown Gallup. The block is located between 1st and 2nd Streets and Coal and Aztec streets. The project will result in the creation of one large mural and several art activations that engage the community and bring vibrancy to this underutilized public space.
The project supported the rehabilitation of two building facades in an underutilized and often neglected alleyway area, and supported the development of three new contemporary works of art that are culturally and conceptually relevant to our community, and supported the practice of three local artists.
Downtown Las Cruces Partnership‘s ArtScapes/Mini-Murals (completed!)
ArtScapes is an ongoing public art project of the DLCP in partnership with the Las Cruces Arts and Cultural Coordinating Council. The project installed mini-murals of historic buildings and other art on electrical boxes. Six mini-murals were completed in the Arts and Cultural district and the art wraps (made of adhesive vinyl) have a life span of five years.
Artscapes has a large impact for a low-cost investment. The mini-murals promote cultural tourism and address several action items from the 2018 Arts and Cultural District Plan.
MainStreet Roswell’s UFO Park Mural (completed!)
This mural is located on the north facing wall of the International UFO Museum. Artist Larry Bob Phillips, Roswell Artist in Residence program director, painted the mural.
The project supports downtown business and property owners by improving physical assets in the district. It encourages visitors in the downtown area to take photos with the mural. A social media campaign to promote visiting Roswell’s downtown district runs from January–July 2020. One winner will be selected from all posts using the hashtag #showmethemuralroswell. The winner will receive a gift basket filled with UFO Festival merchandise.
South Valley MainStreet‘s Façade Squad (completed!)
This project was a partnership between the commercial property owners of 805 Bridge Blvd. and South Valley MainStreet. During phase 1 of this project, a new cinder block wall was built in place of the chain link fence. In addition, two new wrought iron gates were installed.
The new wall creates safety and visual appeal for the current business owner. The next phase of this project will be to develop renderings for a mural or mosaic on the wall. The project benefited a local family, a local business, and the neighborhood by changing the perception of the area.
Taos MainStreet‘s Moveable PopUp Park (April 2020 expected completion)
The intention of this project is to provide an attractive seating and shaded area for visitors of the various street festivals, fairs and pre-music concert gatherings. A large but failing legacy cottonwood tree from the center of Taos Plaza was salvaged to be used as the “seating stumps” to be positioned around 5 planters. The Pop Ups will play a contributing role in promoting health and optimizing social capital and livability of downtown. The entire community of Taos County and tourists will be served by these intriguing, highly visible “art” structures.
In progress, more info coming soon!
Ruidoso Midtown Association‘s Digital Kiosks (completed!)
The MainStreet Digital Kiosk Project implemented three interactive visitor information kiosks in the Ruidoso Midtown District and Ruidoso Convention Center. By design, this project enhanced wayfinding ability for tourists while visiting the Ruidoso area. The project encompassed the development of mobile applications connecting consumers directly to businesses via mobile device or computer.
The MainStreet Digital Kiosk Project integrate a new tool and platform that increases the visibility of businesses, local events, amenities and attractions. The interactive map created way finding benefit to local and regional business. The MainStreet Digital Kiosk project enhance streetscapes, community partnerships, and economic sustainability for Ruidoso. The kiosk system promotes Ruidoso Midtown Association’s branding, social media, and marketing efforts. The project leverage local assets, grew RMA’s organization capacity, and develop key partnerships to complete projects effectively.
Folsom Façade Squad (June 2020 expected completion)
In progress, more info coming soon!