Secretary Designate Geisel Attends Public Dedication of Healing Waters Plaza

TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCES, NM – Today, New Mexico Economic Development Cabinet Secretary Designate Matt Geisel attended a public dedication and ribbon cutting for the Healing Waters Plaza Project in Truth or Consequences. With the aid of New Mexico MainStreet funding, the Healing Waters Plaza project has transformed a former vacant lot in the downtown area into a vibrant civic space to reflect the unique character of Truth or Consequences and strengthen their economic environment. “Our MainStreet program supports public infrastructure, develops projects, and enhances our downtowns to build strong local economies,” said Secretary Designate Geisel. “The Healing Waters Plaza highlights the importance of the pubic/private partnerships created through New Mexico MainStreet, local MainStreet organizations and local governments.”

This project was made possible by $145,000 in MainStreet Public Infrastructure Funds and contribution from the Ted Turner Foundation. The City of Truth or Consequences supplied matching funds. The new plaza helps anchor the area located near the Spaceport Visitor Center, in Truth or Consequences, where visitors can learn about and book tours of Spaceport America. MainStreet Capital Outlay Funding is an important tool to leverage local support for public infrastructure improvements in MainStreet Communities that improve our buildings, plazas, streets, support historic preservation and drive asset-based economic development in rural New Mexico Communities. The project was selected through a competitive application process, and had to demonstrate direct positive economic impact and/or job creation in the district. “It is exciting to see public infrastructure funds leveraged to create community transformation,” said New Mexico MainStreet Director Rich Williams. “Working with MainStreet Truth or Consequences and the City of Truth or Consequences to implement the Healing Waters Plaza Project is what New Mexico MainStreet is all about. Creating incremental targeted change in local communities has meaningful impacts at the state and local level.”

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, 14 Frontier Community projects, and eight Historic Theater Initiatives. For more information about New Mexico MainStreet, visit http://www.gonm.biz/ or nmmainstreet.org.