STATE News:
RED RIVER — The Town of Red River is proud to announce it has been selected as one of 14 communities across New Mexico to receive funding through the New Mexico Tourism Department’s (NMTD) Destination Forward program for Fiscal Year 2026. The town was awarded $40,634 to install a network of five digital information kiosks that will enhance the visitor experience and support the town’s family-owned businesses.
The Destination Forward program, now in its third year, awarded a record $1.8 million in funding this cycle. The program is designed to strengthen tourism-related infrastructure across the state and elevate the quality of experience for both visitors and residents.
“We’re honored to be among the recipients of this transformative funding,” Max Khudiakov said, Director of Economic Development & Tourism for the Town of Red River. “These kiosks will help us better connect with our guests, promote local events and businesses, and provide real-time updates that keep our community informed and safe.”
The kiosks will be strategically placed throughout Red River and will offer up-to-date information on events, business listings, trail and map data, weather and emergency alerts, and transportation resources. As a mountain destination where 99% of businesses are family-owned and operated, Red River sees this investment as a crucial step toward improving wayfinding and communication for year-round tourism
“Tourism is the lifeblood of Red River, and these tools will help us serve visitors more effectively while supporting the resilience of our small business community,” Khudiakov added.
Acting Secretary of Tourism Lancing Adams praised this year’s Destination Forward cohort, stating, “Thoughtful investments in tourism-related infrastructure are essential for proper destination stewardship. Destination Forward is becoming an increasingly valuable element to our mix of programs that serve the needs of communities throughout New Mexico.”
Since its launch in FY24, Destination Forward has supported 36 infrastructure projects across New Mexico totaling over $6 million in investment.
