On August 6 2022, the Taos Center for the Arts (TCA) and Taos Mainstreet unveiled the newly-renovated Stables Gallery Courtyard, the first phase of TCA's campus redesign. The design for the courtyard was provided through NMMS technical assistance and construction was funded by a T-Mobile Hometown grant. This exciting upgrade includes a new amphitheater and stage area, re-grading to direct stormwater drainage away from the historic building, a workshop and gathering space, and landscaping.

Although the Belen MainStreet Partnership (BMSP) Board and office team are small, they're busy doing lots of good work in downtown Belen. Recently completing phase I of their Great Blocks project, BMSP was just awarded a $40,000 Capital Outlay award for the Arts & Cultural District (ACD) Cultural Plan, which will take the Arts District one step closer to becoming a State-Authorized ACD. Michelle Negrette (NMMS Revitalization Specialist) has been invaluable in the new Jump Start Program, where BMSP is the first to participate. There's been lots of great feedback from the community with the ACD project. 

Besides the Great Blocks project and ACD Jumpstart, BMSP has been busy writing and granting monies to businesses in the district for façade improvements. Two recent grant recipients took the funds from an New Mexico Resiliency Alliance façade grant and redid their signage, façade, windows, landscape and more. BMSP has given over a dozen of these façade grants to downtown small businesses in which many of the buildings had not been occupied for decades. Because of these grants, they restored the buildings and are now being rented or leased. Several PNM Community grants have also been awarded, which BMSP utilized for façade grants, the creation of a community garden, and installation of electricity and a new roof in a WPA building (the first steps in the building's total revitalization which will display art and host performances in the future!)

Every year, Wells Fargo Community Grant invites BMSP to apply for up to $10,000 to support small businesses in the district. BMSP has received five of these grants and used the money for flood assistance grants, PPE for small businesses, and signage for the community and city. BMSP recently received notice they will be awarded $10,000 plus a bonus amount of $500 for "H.U.B.: Hands to Upgrade Businesses." A grant application was created and small businesses are invited to apply for assistance with structural, visual, I.T. services and equipment for up to $1500. The applications have been mailed to each company in the district. A special committee will score the grant applications and decide on the recipients soon.

BMSP began the journey to complete Main Street certification in 2009. When Rhona came on board as Executive Director in 2013, the certification as a Main Street America District began with accreditation awarded in 2014. Since 2013, BMSP has been awarded over $2 million worth of assistance to the district’s businesses and has utilized the stellar professional services of the New Mexico MainStreet Team heavily. 

Rhona Espinoza said, “BMSP has served the city of Belen businesses well, and we look forward to a continued and flourishing relationship with the City and it's business community. So much has been accomplished but so much more is to be done. We will work to revitalize our downtown, one business at a time. We could not do it without the support of the New Mexico MainStreet Team, the resources from the City of Belen, and the amazing BMSP Board.” 

The Silver City MainStreet Arts & Cultural district Board is pleased to welcome Sharla Lefkowitz-Oberg as the incoming Executive Director. She will start the position remotely in November and in person on December 5, 2022.

Sharla is a passionate, energetic leader who brings a broad range of nonprofit experience to Silver City MainStreet. Over the course of her career, she's focused on downtown revitalization, community building, advocacy, marketing, communications, and administration.

Sharla is returning to Silver City after living there in 2012 and 2013. During that time, she worked for the Commons Center for Food Security and Sustainability and Silver City MainStreet.

Sharla will be moving to Silver City with her family. She's excited about Silver City’s unique cultural offerings and how they enhance the revitalization and economic development work of MainStreet. As a runner, Sharla looks forward to running and hiking the nearby trails.

“I look forward to continuing the outstanding work at Silver City MainStreet,” Sharla said. “Continuing the economic development and revitalization work of the organization will be among my top priorities.”

Corrales MainStreet's annual fundraiser, Starry Night, was a huge success in August. The event was sold out and they reached their corporate sponsorship goal thanks to presenting sponsor, PNM/Avangrid, and many other sponsors. The funds raised this year will be dedicated to their Arts & Cultural district (ACD) accreditation process.

The community spirit of this special event is represented in this thank you note from a new local:

The Historic Odeon Theater in Tucumcari MainStreet is hosting the premiere screening of "Next Exit," which was partially filmed in Tucumcari, on October 24.

The writer/director of the film, Mali Elfman, as well as one of the producers and actresses will participate in a Q & A after the screening. Information about other screening events in New Mexico can be found on the film's Instagram account.

The Odeon was recently renovated and Tucumcari MainStreet has improved the functionality and appearance of 2nd Street with NMMS Capital Outlay funding. Their Great Blocks project is nearly complete!

The City of Farmington is hosting the grand reopening of the historic Totah Theatre in Downtown Farmington on October 24! This project was partially funded by a NMMS Capital Outlay award in 2021.

The event will begin with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 11:30 am with the Farmington Chamber of Commerce. At 6:00 pm, the public are invited to a red carpet reception and two film premieres. The films were shot and produced in Farmington, "Red Rising" and "Night of the Vampire."

This special event is free to the public and is first come, first serve.

Clayton Union County Economic Development Partnership welcomed Lynette Keeth as their new Executive Director in August. Born and raised in Clayton, Lynette is passionate about her community, local businesses, and small-town traditions. She brings professional skills as well as community development skills to this position.

Lynette completed the NMMS Bootcamp training in August so she started her position at full speed!