Los Ranchos board backs development of a Main Street program to support local businesses

Trustees voted to authorize administration to continue developing a local Main Street program and to work with a nascent board of local merchants and organizers to pursue accreditation and funding.

Sky Dvor, who has experience with nearby Main Street efforts, briefed trustees on a proposed three-year path: participate in rural community initiative programming in 2025, follow with a second-year implementation in 2026, and enter the accreditation/accelerator stage in 2027. Early programming ideas outlined in the packet include business workshops, Route 66–themed marketing and small downtown placemaking initiatives.

Why it matters: Main Street programs provide technical assistance, project-selection frameworks and potential access to legislative funding and economic-development grants. Dvor noted local funding mixes typically include local government support, nonprofit fundraising and event-generated revenue; Village support is important but not required to fully fund operations.

Dvor told trustees the process does not obligate the Village to pay an executive director in perpetuity; Main Street communities mix municipal support with other funding sources. Trustees asked for a formal resolution to clarify the Village’s relationship to the nonprofit and for a trustee or community representative to sit on the project board.

Board action: Trustees voted unanimously to continue developing the Main Street platform and asked administration to draft a resolution, identify a trustee or designee to participate and return with a timeline and funding options.