Inside Track
Getting Started
New Mexico MainStreet member communities focus their efforts on these areas, known as the Four-Point Approach:
- Organization—establishing consensus and cooperation by building effective relationships among the community’s downtown stakeholders
- Economic Positioning—strengthening downtown’s existing economic assets and fulfilling its broadest market potential
- Design—enhancing the unique visual quality of downtown to create an appealing environment
- Promotion—creating and marketing a positive image based on the unique attributes of the downtown district
How to Become a New Mexico MainStreet Start-Up Community
Beginning in 2009, all communities wishing to pursue MainStreet within New Mexico must apply to participate in the Emerging Communities Program.
The Emerging MainStreet Communities Program helps New Mexico communities explore the Main Street Four-Point Approach™, create a local organization to implement downtown revitalization activities, and implement small-scale downtown revitalization projects. Communities accepted into the Emerging MainStreet program will receive guidance, advice, and training from New Mexico MainStreet personnel. No funding is associated with this program. Communities must fund any and all Emerging MainStreet projects and activities through local fund-raising efforts from public and private sectors.
2009 Application Announcement
Services Available to Any New Mexico community
Who Benefits from a Local Mainstreet Revitalization Effort
How to Receive Services from New Mexico MainStreet
Once a Start-Up Community has been selected, it must complete a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with New Mexico MainStreet and its parent organization, the New Mexico Economic Development Department. This is a formal agreement outlining mutual expectations, roles, and responsibilities between the local nonprofit organization representing downtown stakeholders, the municipality, and New Mexico MainStreet. MOUs are developed according to the needs of individual communities.
For a sample MOU, click here.
For the Menu of Program Services, click here.
Professional Development
New Mexico MainStreet Manager Certification Program
The Manager Certification Program encourages continuous professional development and enables local MainStreet managers to strengthen their coordination, non-profit administration, project management, and leadership skills. Certified Managers are eligible for enhanced scholarship opportunities through NMMS and Friends of New Mexico MainStreet.
Manager Certification Program Overview
Manager Certification Application
MainStreet Volunteers
For volunteers of Local MainStreet Organizations, NMMS offers the Volunteer Certification Program, which recognizes local MainStreet volunteer’s commitment and dedication to MainStreet revitalization.
Volunteer Certification Program Overview
Volunteer Certification Application
Strategies for Taking Care of MainStreet During the Economic Downturn
Working with communities throughout the state, the New Mexico MainStreet Team has identified extensive ways that MainStreet Districts can survive the economic downturn. The key is renewed commitment to maintaining strategic efforts in all four areas of the comprehensive Main Street Four Point Approach™ – Design, Organization, Economic Positioning, and Promotions. In each of the four areas, plus Fundraising, New Mexico MainStreet has compiled a list of 10 practical strategies for working with your downtown during the recession.
- Economic Priorities for MainStreet during Recession
- Design and Urban Planning Strategies during Recession
- Economic Positioning Strategies during Recession
- Fundraising Strategies during Recession
- Promotions Strategies during Recession
- Organization Strategies during Recession
Forms for Members
- The Four Point Approach of MainStreet
- The Eight Principles of MainStreet
- Services Calendar FY2010
- Good Standing Standards
Design and Urban Planning
- Architectural Design Service Request Form
- Building Inventory Form
- Components of Master Plans, Sector Plans and MRA Plans
- Guidelines for Review and Ranking of Master Plan RFPs
- Urban Design and Planning Service Request Form
MainStreet Capital Outlay and Special Appropriation Grants
- 2010 Capital Outlay Grants:
- Reimbursement Forms: (Word, 191KB)
- Progress Report Template: (Word, 42KB)
- 2009 Special Appropriation Grants:
- Reimbursement Forms: (PDF, 101KB); (Word, 309KB)
- Progress Report Template: (PDF, 25KB); (Word, 42KB)
- 2008 Capital Outlay Grants:
- Reimbursement Forms: (PDF, 103KB); (Word, 313KB)
- Progress Report Template: (PDF, 25KB); (Word, 42KB)
- Grant Amendment Exhibits B, C & D (revised payment request forms with 10% match)