The Belen MainStreet program, which is advocating for downtown revitalization, today decided on an official name for itself: Belen MainStreet Partnership.

In May, Belen became a New Mexico MainStreet “Emerging Community,” which means local businesses, property owners and residents will begin to receive expert support from the state for their downtown revitalization efforts.

Today, the Belen MainStreet board finalized its articles of incorporation to become an incorporated nonprofit with the State of New Mexico. The paperwork includes the new name.

The founding board members listed in the soon-to-be-submitted articles of incorporation are: Claudette Riley of the Greater Belen Economic Development Corporation, Susannah Rodee of the art gallery Through the Flower, Aaron Silva of Elite Muscle Gym and Fitness Center, Ronnie Torres of Hair Innovations (who is also Belen’s mayor), David Blacher of the property company Blacher Family Holdings, Andrew DiCamillo of the City of Belen Planning and Zoning Department, Cindy Clark of the Greater Belen Chamber of Commerce and Jerah R. Cordova of the community group Our Tomorrow: For a Better Belen.

Their next task is to write the organization’s bylaws and continue forming focus area committees made up of citizens.