ALBUQUERQUE, NM-The New Mexico Economic Development Department has selected four more "emerging communities" to participate in its MainStreet program. According to an article in the Albuquerque Business Journal, the Barelas commercial district in Albuquerque; Gallup's historic business district; the villages of Roy, Solano and Moscero in Harding County and the Five Points commercial district neighborhood in Bernalillo County applied for "emerging community status" in the MainStreet program. The program offers professional assistance including access to architects and marketing specialists that smaller cities or towns might not be able to afford.

As reported previously on GlobeSt.com, the MainStreet program is affiliated with the National Trust Main Street Center in Washington, DC. The idea behind the program is that Main Streets of towns and cities are commercial cores for neighborhood centers, and can be important economic generators. The program in New Mexico is funded through the state legislature. New Mexico's MainStreet program helps set up non-profit organizations that bring consultants in to help with a variety of economic development areas.