Los Alamos MainStreet & Creative District Executive Director Jacquelyn Connolly, County Councilor Ryn Herrmann and Event Manager Alison Watkins at the 2025 Main Street Now Conference. Courtesy/LAMCD

MainStreet News:

Los Alamos MainStreet & Creative District recently attended the MainStreet Now Conference in Philadelphia, Penn. Executive Director Jacquelyn Connolly, Event Manager Alison Watkins, accompanied by Los Alamos County Councilor Ryn Herrmann, spent a busy and thought-provoking week participating in informative sessions and activities.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro gave the opening plenary, and Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker welcomed the conference attendees. Mobile workshops were a popular offering and included visits to Africatown, Mount Airy, and two redevelopment districts in Delaware.

These workshops allow participants to see how other MainStreet and Redevelopment districts are thriving, find common ground on similar challenges and be inspired to bring back new concepts for their home district. Conference sessions included a variety of formats from crash-course style how-tos to deep dive discussions and hands-on application. Every year MainStreet staff bring back vital strategies to apply locally.

Los Alamos MainStreet and Creative District is the only County-wide state-accredited New Mexico MainStreet program, serving businesses and the community in both Los Alamos and neighboring White Rock. The program’s goal is to create a thriving economy by being a partner and advocate for local businesses in the district; driving promotions, programming and events that bring more locals and visitors to downtown; and partnering with the Bradbury Science Museum, Los Alamos Creative District, Los Alamos Historical Society, Pajarito Environmental Education Center and other organizations to simultaneously preserve historic and scientific heritage, and revitalize and diversify local economy. Los Alamos MainStreet and Creative District hosts four annual events, in partnership with Los Alamos County and sponsors: Los Alamos ScienceFest (June), Los Alamos Day of Arts and Culture (October), Los Alamos Halloweekend & Trick-or-Treat on MainStreet (October), and Los Alamos WinterFest (December).