Our town needs MainStreet, LEDA

The last few years have been good to Tucumcari — in large part due to the fact that we’ve had the tools and opportunity to grow and develop our economy.

Looking back at the last six or so years, it’s hard to deny that we’ve seen some great successes. There have been good jobs created and investments made. And not just here in Tucumcari, but across the state.

These are things we couldn’t have accomplished without effective economic incentives championed by Gov. Susana Martinez.

I’m referring to programs the governor has been dedicated to funding, like the Job Training Incentive Program, the Local Economic Development Act (LEDA), and maybe most important to our community — New Mexico MainStreet. Not to mention the dozens of tax cuts she’s implemented.

All of these programs and incentives together bring economic growth to small communities like ours. It’s not hard to see how a 22 percent cut to corporate taxes and the growth and expansion of JTIP and LEDA bring in business.

And people in Tucumcari have reaped the benefits.

In 2014, Tucumcari Mountain Cheese received LEDA funding that allowed it to invest $4.5 million to expand operations. In fact, TMC was able to nearly double its workforce and provide new jobs to people in our community.

Most of us are familiar with the impact that the MainStreet program has had on our community.

One example is the project at the Odeon Theater that was completed this year with the help of a $50,000 LEDA grant that repaired the roof of the theater. And right now through MainStreet we’re getting thousands of dollars that will help revitalize and improve the downtown district.

Our town needs LEDA and MainStreet so that we can get the resources we need to revitalize our town, attract visitors, and make our economy thrive. And we have to protect JTIP so that we have the continued opportunity to attract businesses to Tucumcari.

But despite the proven success of these economic programs, some people want to cut funding. It doesn’t make sense.

These incentives have a direct effect on communities across New Mexico by creating jobs and letting the world know we’re open for business. Let’s keep it up. The opportunities are endless.

Ruth Ann Litchfield is Tucumcari’s mayor. Contact her at: [email protected]