Jeff Bingaman United States Senator from New Mexico

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman announced today that the Silver City MainStreet Project has been awarded the Economic Development Administration’s (EDA) 2008 Excellence in Economic Development Award for Excellence in Historic Preservation-led Strategies to Enhance Economic Development. Bingaman nominated the program for the EDA award.

Silver City MainStreet is affiliated with National Trust for Historic Preservation’s MainStreet Program, which seeks to revitalize historic downtown districts in small towns across America, and is run in conjunction with the New Mexico MainStreet Program of the New Mexico Economic Development Department. Silver City MainStreet is the oldest, and among the most successful, MainStreet projects in New Mexico.

“Even in a state filled with special places, Silver City stands out,” Bingaman said. “I send my congratulations to Silver City for winning this national recognition."

“Creating a climate of opportunity for new and existing businesses has been a successful strategy,” said Frank Milan, MainStreet Manager. “The importance of historic properties and initiatives taken by private citizens and public entities can not be underestimated.”

Bingaman grew up in Silver City. His father was a science professor at Western New Mexico University, and his mother taught in the public schools. He graduated from high school in Silver City.