Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
Ron Wilmot, representative of U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Lujan, bottom left, reads a letter of support from Rep. Lujan on Aug. 30 for the $16,000 grant to the Tucumcari MainStreet.
Tucumcari MainStreet's efforts to revitalize the downtown attractions of the city got a $16,000 boost thanks to a grant from a local bank and its partners.
The $16,000 grant funds were presented to Gail Houser, executive director of the Tucumcari MainStreet Corporation on Aug. 30, by the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas and Tucumcari Federal Savings and Loan Association.
"These funds will go a long way to helping improve the downtown attractions of Tucumcari," Houser said.
This partnership grant program depends on the input from our member banks to let us know where the money could best be used to aid in the development of the economy and community, said Greg Hettrick, first vice president, director of community investment, FHLB Dallas.
Hettrick said the Tucumcari Train Depot is a great example of MainStreet's efforts to revitalize the community. He said one of the best part of the partnership grant is the funds are not restricted to one particular use or project.
"As a boy, I spent a lot of time with my dad building model railroads," Hettrick said. "Spending time at this depot has really been a treat."
Anytime a project in our area can receive funding is a time to celebrate, said Sen. Patrick Woods.
Woods said organizations like Tucumcari MainStreet are vital to continuing the economic prosperity of rural communities. He said the projects continue to improve the downtown economy while bringing in business to the community as a whole.
"We appreciate the donations of these funds to our community," said Ruth Ann Litchfield, Mayor.
The staff, members of Tucumcari Federal Saving and Loan Association were proud to have the opportunity to aid our local community, said David Hale, president of TFSL.
"It has been the goal of Tucumcari Federal to help promote the growth of Tucumcari for the prosperity of the community," Hale said.
The grant is funded by a 3-to-1 match by FHLB and TFSL, Hale said Tucumcari Federal donated $4,000 that was match by $12,000 by FHLB, Dallas.
Houser said the grant funds will be used to offset annual operating expenses, continue educational opportunities for entrepreneurs and develop fundraising programs.