Area governments get grants for cleanup efforts

Eastern New Mexico News, Clovis, N.M.
·2 min read

Sep. 17—The New Mexico Tourism Department (NMTD) has awarded $790,801 to 45 communities through the New Mexico Clean and Beautiful Grant Program for fiscal year 2023.

Curry and Roosevelt counties along with Clovis and Portales are set to receive a total of $45,769: $20,055 for Clovis, $12,650 for Portales, $9,064 for Curry County and $4,000 for Roosevelt County.

The Clean and Beautiful Grant Program funds projects and initiatives that contribute: end littering, reduce waste, beautify communities, empower youth and increase program capacity.

Tourism Secretary Jen Paul Schroer said, "The Clean and Beautiful Grant Program really empowers local stakeholders to pursue and complete projects that intersect between community service, litter reduction and placemaking." Through this program, communities have used funds to enhance public space and support local wildlife and the ecosystem, among other projects.

Curry County manager Lance Pyle said $6,864 will be used for the new county parking lot on the southeast corner of Seventh and Mitchell streets.

$2,200 will be used for youth groups in Curry County.

"We intend to partner with 4-H to complete and assist with the work on the [Mitchell] parking lot and we will pay 4-H for that work."

Clovis' assistant city manager, Claire Burroughes, said the city will use the grant money to fund two cleanup events: Trek for Trash scheduled for October 15 and the Great American Cleanup scheduled for spring 2023.

Burroughes said the money will also fund an 80-foot by 10-foot mural at the Splash Pad at Hillcrest Park along with graffiti eradication equipment and cleanup activities with Teen Court.

Roosevelt County manager Amber Hamilton said Roosevelt County and Portales city government worked together submitting a joint application for a small pilot project to combat illegal dumping.

Hamilton said the grant funds will be used for a marketing campaign, signage and to offset disposal fees during coordinated community cleanup days.

Some other examples of community projects supported by the Clean and Beautiful Grant Program across the state include: A community mural at the Roswell Museum that acknowledges the natural landscape and the aura of mystery of the region, a "parklet" in Silver City bringing a public space to the town's arts and culture district and a tree seedling drive-thru giveaway in Rio Rancho to encourage residents to help build the city's urban canopy.

The largest grant went to Roswell for $49,109.44.

The smallest award went to Truth or Consequences, $1,678.25.