MainStreet Hobbs, Inc. is a state of New Mexico Department of Economic Development officially-certified MainStreet Program that is also recognized by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the National Main Street Center as an officially national Main Street Program that follows precisely the Four Point Approach of the National Trust.  Established in 1997, the program in Hobbs has been working in many ways to improve the heart of the community.

By using the Four Point Approach, the following is being achieved in downtown historic Hobbs:

Through DESIGN MainStreet Hobbs works to beautify the downtown historic and commercial district through a committee made up of volunteers that deal in a variety of issues that range from the façade improvements of buildings to offering grants to downtown business owners to make improvements in the way their buildings and businesses look.  The Design Committee also works to develop and maintain MainStreet Hobbs-owned properties, as well as its office building at 105 W. Broadway.  This committee is dedicated to the historic district, its preservation and its beauty.  The committee is also dedicated to getting resources that support this vision and getting them into the hands of the businesses to use to the benefit of a beautiful and revitalized downtown.

Through ECONOMIC POSITIONING MainStreet Hobbs works to recruit new businesses to the downtown historic district to reduce vacancies, thereby driving the economy, as well as it works to retain businesses by offering tools and resources to assist businesses in getting training and assistance in business development.  This committee also works with banks and non-traditional funding agencies such as The Loan Fund of New Mexico and Accion of New Mexico to try to help aspiring entrepreneurs get their dream to the market with working capital.  The committee also works with the New Mexico Junior College (NMJC) Small Business Development Center (SBDC) to help aspiring business owners and even those already open for business to get solid business plans done so that their dream can become and stay a reality.  This committee also works on identifying businesses and business clusters that would fit well into a downtown.  Without buildings full of viable businesses, downtowns cannot be successful.

Through the PROMOTIONS approach, MainStreet Hobbs is easily the fun generator in the downtown historic district.  It is this group that works to create successful promotions through special events, business promotions and cooperative activities, as well as cultural events and street parties, most relevant during our biggest events like Hobbs August Nites and Cinco de Mayo.  This committee’s ultimate goal is to create foot traffic to keep our open businesses in “business” and to expose the historic downtown and all it has to offer as the community and fun center.

Finally through the ORGANIZATION piece of the approach, MainStreet Hobbs’ committee works to build consensus within the actual non-profit organization, as well as to help it set goals, have an organizational vision, build collaboration, brand and market itself and anything that has to do with its image and level of regard in the community.  This committee also works to generate the funds that it takes to continue the MainStreet efforts in Hobbs through sponsorship solicitation, private donor development and other fundraising strategies.

With all Four Points as working wheels in the downtown historic and commercial district, MainStreet Hobbs is the vehicle driving the revitalization of the Heart of Hobbs America.