Jeff Bingaman United States Senator from New Mexico

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today announced that the Silver City MainStreet Project is one of three finalists for the Economic Development Administration’s (EDA) 2008 Excellence in Economic Development 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.

Bingaman nominated the Silver City MainStreet Project under the EDA’s category of Excellence in Historic Preservation-led Strategies to Enhance Economic Development.

“The Silver City’s MainStreet Project has been instrumental in revitalizing the city’s historic downtown district. The project’s efforts have helped bring businesses and jobs to the region, while preserving the areas cultural and historical character. I am pleased it has made this far and I am hopeful it will prevail as the winner,” Bingaman said.

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.