NMSU’s Arrowhead Center, Santa Fe Office of Economic Development partner to launch small business program

Caroline Lee feels that Northern New Mexico and Santa Fe have “fantastic resources” for small business owners, founders and entrepreneurs. However, she fears not enough of them are aware.

“We have found that it is sometimes not easy for these people to find the resources they need to help their businesses and, often, they need those resources quite quickly,” Lee said. “It takes a bit of legwork to get to the right people to solve your business problems.”

That’s where programs like the newly launched Santa Fe Small Business Navigator come into play. It was created in partnership with New Mexico State University’s Arrowhead Center and the Santa Fe Office of Economic Development, which will aid with funding.

“The Navigator program is about working smarter and making sure our small businesses can quickly connect to the resources they need,” OED Director Johanna Nelson said in a statement. “By partnering with Arrowhead Center, we’re ensuring that Santa Fe’s entrepreneurs don’t have to navigate challenges alone; they have a clear path to support growth and opportunity.”

Lee, the senior program manager, said Navigator is exclusive to founders, owners and entrepreneurs who live or work in Santa Fe. The program helps small businesses generate revenue, create jobs and build a strong foundation for conducting work in the city.

Once a business signs up for the program, it officially becomes a client of Navigator. From there, Lee conducts one-on-one consultations to discuss a business’ needs and “untangle” what the issues are. There is no timeline for the program, she said, as long as someone needs help, the “door is always open.”

Lee said the program has both direct resources and core partners that have a “long history” of helping the small business community. That includes the Santa Fe Business Incubator, Regional Development Corp., the Women’s Economic Self-Sufficiency Team, the New Mexico Angels and SCORE’s Northern New Mexico branch.

Navigator is also putting together a micro-grant program, which Lee anticipates will go live in the near future. Applications and awards will be administered and overseen by the Arrowhead Center and RDC.

Lee noted that there are plenty of community events for small businesses and, in an effort to get more eyes on them, Navigator curates a calendar to “shine a spotlight” on them and get others involved. Navigator also offers a Native American Services program with dedicated OED liaison Deborah Torres, as well as Spanish-speaking resources, Lee said.

“From an economic development standpoint, the ability to have a centralized place for resources for small businesses is such a huge undertaking, which is why it’s hard to put together,” Lee said. “But once you have it, it’s such a wonderful resource to the community.”