About Artesia MainStreet

Mission

Artesia MainStreet, Inc. was organized exclusively to encourage, foster, and stimulate the preservation and economic development of historic downtown Artesia.

Vision

We envision Artesia Main Street as an economically active and energetic historic downtown where, because of its attractive, clean, shaded, pedestrian-friendly, small-town atmosphere, people will want to live, visit, shop and work.

Our goals include educating the public about downtown Artesia's unique development, historical value, and architectural heritage; encouraging preservation of the area and its structures; combating the economic causes of community deterioration; and promoting community pride and civic interest in historic downtown Artesia.

Organization

AMS began as a grassroots effort in 1997 to revitalize the appearance and spirit of our small-town’s dilapidated downtown area. Volunteers began hosting activities to draw the community’s attention to downtown as a destination place and began working with landscape architects and engineers to create a master plan for downtown rehabilitation.  Artesia MainStreet was incorporated on November 24, 1997.  Under the guidelines of MainStreet National Trust, a division of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, AMS became a non-profit organization, obtaining 501(c)(3) status on September 1, 1998.  In 1998, Artesia City Council approved the Master Plan, enabling Artesia MainStreet, Inc. to spearhead downtown renovation and encourage merchant and community unity.

The MainStreet district is set between First and Seventh Street and includes, Texas, Main, Quay and Richardson Streets.  The AMS board consists of 18 members with an additional three non-voting members serving in an advisory capacity. There are about 50 volunteers, and two paid staff persons.  The full-time manager was hired in November 2000 and a full-time Events and Promotions Coordinator was hired in July 2006.      

The AMS normal operating budget includes expenses for salaries and normal office operations with the exclusion of office space and utilities, which are donated by the Artesia Arts Council.  Maintenance, repair and improvement costs of completed projects are the largest expense.  Annual and special events are included in the operating budget, but are designed to support themselves.  The AMS projects budget is funded by contributions and grants with the exception of minimal interest amounts.