Here’s a look at today’s headlines:
New Mexico MainStreet has been reaccredited and licensed by the National Main Street Center, Inc. for 2018. New Mexico MainStreet works with local communities to build capacity, support local projects and offer technical assistance to help support economic revitalization in downtown and commercial districts. Since 2013, the program has helped leverage the restoration of 1,008 buildings, $93,257,512 in private sector reinvestment, and created 675 net new businesses and business expansions and 2,694 net new jobs. A program of the New Mexico Economic Development Department, New Mexico MainStreet works throughout the state to help affiliated local organizations create an economically viable business environment while preserving cultural and historic resources. New Mexico MainStreet currently serves 28 affiliated MainStreet Districts, eight state-authorized Arts & Cultural Districts, more than 20 Frontier Community projects, and eight Historic Theater Initiatives.
Silver City Celebrated “Territorial Charter Day” on Saturday with various events held Downtown for the community. Silver City is the only community still operating under their original charter signed in 1878 which predates New Mexico statehood in 1912. Some of the activities that were available to the public included; a hike on Boston Hill, tours at historic Fort Bayard with people in period dress, a children’s run in the Big Ditch, and re-enactment at the Silver City Museum Annex featuring current and form official in period garb.
Deming Public School officials say that they have 800 to 1000 kids from Mexico enrolled in their public schools each year. Although the family may live in Mexico, the children were born in the United States or the children are forced to live in Mexico because a family member was deported. The New Mexico state constitution says that these children are all entitled to an American education. The district reported that each student’s education costs are from $8000 to $10,000 per school year, and with 825 coming from Mexico this year, the total cost is $6.6 million to $8.25 million. The children cross the border from Palomas, Mexico, into Columbus, New Mexico every school day.
The PNM Resources Foundation has gifted a total of $200,000 over the next two years to WESST, a New Mexico’s business development and training organization. WESST has been assisting entrepreneurs and small businesses for the last 29 years, and with the help of the gift from PNM Resources Foundation, they plan to help clients go from start-ups to thriving businesses. WESST will use the gift for a new initiative called “Power Up Your Biz,” which will be targeted to existing businesses that want to scale their operations. Participating companies will have access to services which will address impediments to growth and put their business on a path to long term success. In honor of PNM turning 100 years old, PNM Resources and its shareholders made a sizeable contribution to the PNMR Foundation, totaling $1 million over the course of two years. Five different organizations in New Mexico are beneficiaries of these funds, including WESST, all of which have a focus towards furthering education and economic development in the state.
