The Belen MainStreet Partnership has received the funding it needs to create a downtown master plan for Belen.

Last week, the New Mexico Economic Development Department awarded the $50,000 grant to the Belen MainStreet Partnership.

The downtown master plan will provide a vision for downtown Belen through a series of community meetings and expert analysis — with the goal of building a stronger business and residential environment downtown.

Coupled with the plan will be an economic analysis from the University of New Mexico’s Bureau of Business and Economic Research. The economic analysis began in November and will be completed next month.

Belen MainStreet has been working with the City of Belen on both the plan and analysis.