Numerous comments about Chamber and MainStreet
GRANTS, N.M. – The May 20 City of Grants Lodgers Tax Advisory Board session focused on nonprofit organizations’ funding applications.
Chair Scott Gray emphasized that some of the groups still had money available in their current budgets. He noted that several weeks remain before the end of the current fiscal year, June 30. The chair recommended that some groups such as Grants MainStreet Project, Inc. improve collaborative efforts with other nonprofits. It appears there is duplication of marketing efforts by several applicants, according to Gray.
“[Grants] MainStreet is an important nonprofit organization for the community,” said Grants-Cibola County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Brenda Curtright.
“They can write strong grants [that benefit the community].”
Manuel Vasquez, MainStreet past president, highlighted the organization’s numerous projects, which have benefited the community during the past decade. Chair Gray noted that the Holiday Light Parade was the only annual MainStreet event. He recalled that the organization failed to meet last year’s application deadline.
“If we give funding to MainStreet this year, we’ll have to decrease the amounts for the other nonprofit groups,” commented Vice Chair Kade Elkins.
The discussion moved on to other applicants.
“We stay busy all the time,” said Jamie Holton, Grants Rodeo Association.
“Most of the people who come [to the rodeo grounds] are from out of town.”
She announced the GRA is hosting the state barrel racing competition during the upcoming Memorial Day weekend. Holton predicted eventual expansion of the rodeo grounds because the city has purchased property across the road. (Editor’s note: The City of Grants owns the Grants Rodeo Grounds and the GRA, a nonprofit, oversees management.)
Marketing
Chamber Director Curtright acknowledged that during the short time she has served in that position she has observed a definite lack of communication between groups concerning marketing initiatives. Chair Gray agreed. He explained that several nonprofits, such as MainStreet, Chamber, and Grants Rodeo Association, are each seeking funding for billboards with the goal of attracting more visitors.
Federal Stimulus money
Only two groups, Friends of the New Mexico Mining Museum and the GRA, received Stimulus money which was provided to offset some of the effects of the pandemic. Chair Gray noted that lodgers tax revenue and federal Stimulus dollars are all paid by the taxpayers.
LTB recommendations
Nine nonprofits applied for funding: Grants Rodeo Association, $48,500; Cibola County Historical Society-N.M. Aviation Heritage Museum, $4,000; Cibola Arts Council, $6,000; Cibola County Historical Society – History Museum, $5,000; Cibola Trail Alliance, $10,000; Mount Taylor Quadrathlon, $20,000; Grants Main-Street Project, Inc., $39,797.50; Friends of the New Mexico Mining Museum, $90,332.04; and Grants-Cibola County Chamber of Commerce, $142,433.24.
Compared to last year, only three changes were recommended: $9,000 for MainStreet, which got zero in 2020; American Legion Post 80 did not apply this year; $4,000 less for the Cibola County Historical Society. Total recommendations for awards - $250,000 for Fiscal Year 2021-22, according to Chair Gray on May 24.
He suggested awarding $125,000 in the first cycle and another $125,000 in November because budget projections are based on last year’s lodgers’ tax revenue, which was severely impacted by the pandemic and consequent economic shutdown. He emphasized that the city manager just began her duties earlier this month and the city has yet to fill the finance director position. Gray predicted the city would have a better sense of lodgers’ tax revenue by the end of October, which is four months into the FY 2021-22 budget.
LTB duties
The city Lodgers Tax Advisory Board reviews funding requests and makes recommendations to the five-member city council. The chair reported that the council, which is responsible for designating the funding, will hear the LTB recommendations at the May 24 city meeting.
The LTB unanimously approved invoices submitted by the Grants Rodeo Association, the Friends of the New Mexico Mining Museum, and the Grants/Cibola County of Commerce.
Member John Martinez did not participate in the one-hour May 20 meeting.
Next meeting
Thursday, June 17, 9 a.m., council chambers, 600 W. Santa Fe Ave., Grants.
Call 505-287-7927 or visit cityofgrants.net for more information.