Nominated by colleagues and selected by a national jury, Claudia Loya is being recognized for her transformative work revitalizing downtown Alamogordo, New Mexico. 

“Claudia’s love for her Main Street is self-evident. Her passion for her community, her culture, and the future of Alamogordo has brought people together to create a more inclusive and vibrant downtown. Claudia is the kind of leader who selflessly makes transformation happen and is the ideal recipient of this award.”

Nolan Ojeda, Executive Director at Alamogordo MainStreet, nominated Claudia for the award. City and state officials, including Alamogordo Mayor, Susan L. Payne, submitted letters of support, each expounding upon Claudia’s dedication and commitment to her role, and to the Main Street Approach™.

Under Claudia’s leadership, Alamogordo MainStreet has secured significant public and private investment, including a $1.9 million grant from the New Mexico Economic Development Department to launch MainStreet Makeover. This transformative initiative is bringing infrastructure improvements to Alamogordo’s downtown, including ADA-compliant sidewalks, street furniture and greenery, and public art installations. Mindful of how this project would affect the community, Claudia developed a business owner construction guide to keep local businesses informed, prepared, and operational throughout construction.
 

Claudia’s passion for Alamogordo is a significant source of inspiration for residents, as shown in her work rallying volunteers and building community partnerships. Through her efforts coordinating the Side Street Art alley beautification project, local residents amassed over 1,600 volunteer hours to transform a downtown alleyway into a vibrant public space. 

Claudia also spearheaded the launch of the Alamo Venture Academy, a small business accelerator housed in a formerly vacant downtown building. This program, made possible by over 600 volunteer hours, has played an important role in reducing vacancies and supporting entrepreneurship in Alamogordo.

Claudia is a steward of Alamogordo’s history, working closely with the local historical society to install placards on downtown buildings, each featuring historical photos and QR codes linking to oral histories and community memories. While her innovative work with the Alamo Venture Academy created opportunities for local entrepreneurs, breathing new economic life into the historic district.

“Her dedication to honoring Alamogordo’s history while integrating modern improvements is reflected in her work to preserve historic architecture and foster interactive community engagement,” remarked Alamogordo City Manager, Stephanie Hernandez.
 

Claudia has tirelessly served Alamogordo MainStreet, regularly closing her own business to dedicate her time to main street projects. Whether leading strategic planning sessions, coordinating with city and county officials, or championing initiatives like Small Business Saturday, Claudia consistently brings people together to drive progress based on a shared vision and purpose.

“Claudia exemplifies the heart of Alamogordo MainStreet, pouring her soul into its mission with over 20,000 volunteer hours and countless personal sacrifices,” said Nolan Ojeda, Executive Director at Alamogordo Main Street. ​“For her, this work is a calling, one she answers selflessly every day to uplift our businesses, our community, and the future of our downtown.”