By Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multi-Media
The Raton MainStreet Inc. received great news last October that they had been selected as one of eight semi-finalists for the 2025 Great American MainStreet Award, the highest award that can be presented by the MainStreet America organization.
On April 7, 2025 a national MainStreet Now conference will be held in Philadelphia, PA where the winner of the award will be announced. The winner of the prestigiuos award would be awarded a two year national advertising campaign.
In announcing their selection Raton MainStreet noted that “We are confident that Raton MainStreet has a strong chance of being named the 2025 Great American Main Street. Our dedicated board of volunteers has accomplished incredible milestones over the past few years, including:”
- The $1.2M Great Blocks Project on Historic First Street
- MRA Project in partnership with the City of Raton for the Coors Building
- $279,000 Capital Outlay for Architectural Plans for the renovation of the Depot
- Supporting building renovations through our Façade Grant Program.
- Partnering with RMMFI to empower local entrepreneurs.
- Hosting 9 years of our Annual Gate City Music Festival.
- Organizing the International Santa Fe Trail Balloon Rally.
- Celebrating community with events like the 4th of July Parade, Safe Trick-or-Treat, and the Festival of Lights.
- Promoting downtown vibrancy with the “Key to the Heart of Downtown” presentations, Shop Local campaigns, and MainStreet Bucks.
- Collaborating on economic development with the City of Raton, Better Cities, the Center for Community Innovation, and GrowRaton.
The entire board is making plans to travel to Philadelphia in April to present their program and be available if Raton should win this coveted award. The group has announced it will begin fund raising efforts to make the trip possible, and Executive Director Brenda Ferri has sent out a letter asking for support for the groups travel fund, and continuation of their mission. All donations, large or small will help and are tax deductable up to the extent of the law.
For more information go to www.RatonMainStreet.com, or call 575-445-2052 or visit the Old Pass Gallery at 145 S 1st in Raton.
