Jonathan Camacho has recently been appointed as the new Grants SBDC Center Director at New Mexico State University. He joined the New Mexico Small Business Development Center (NMSBDC) at the beginning of April, where his primary role is to provide no-cost consulting services, both in English and Spanish, to startups and existing businesses in Grants and Cibola County. Before joining NMSUGrants Campus, Jonathan spent two years as a Business Consultant with the Nebraska Business Development Center (NBDC), part of the nationwide America's SBDC network. During his consulting career, he has assisted over 100 businesses with business planning, startup assistance, financial forecasting, operations management, marketing, and international business.
Jonathan holds an MBA with a concentration in international business and a bachelor’s degree in Global Management. In 2020, he studied abroad in Tahiti, French Polynesia, to learn French and Polynesian history. His professional experience spans healthcare insurance, financial services, marketing, and student development.
The New Mexico SBDC's mission is to develop skilled entrepreneurs and strong businesses. As the new Center Director, Jonathan will work directly with entrepreneurs and business owners seeking to start, grow, or expand their businesses. The center offers services such as business plan creation, startup assistance, financial projections, market research, and access to capital, all at no cost. More information can be found at nmsbdc.org.
In addition to counseling, the NMSBDC offers low or no-cost training on various topics, including taxes, accounting principles for businesses, efficient marketing tools, cybersecurity, intellectual property, Quick-Books, financial planning, and funding opportunities. The center also connects businesses with programs like the APEX Accelerator for government contract opportunities and the New Mexico International Business Accelerator for overseas expansion through exporting and importing.
In Grants and Cibola County, many businesses face challenges, and there is a pressing need for job opportunities. The county's unemployment rate of 5.9% underscores the importance of continued economic development and investment in job creation programs. In 2023, 605 businesses were reported in the county, with 359 located in Grants, indicating low barriers to entry for new businesses. The population distribution is advantageous, with 50% of residents aged 20 to 59 and 26% aged 0 to 19, providing a strong workforce.
Jonathan’s goal is to educate entrepreneurs and provide them with the necessary resources and assistance to ensure their business success. Many are unaware of the myriad of free resources available to support small businesses, whether they are just starting businesses or already established. These resources include hundreds of trainings, guides, events, tools, networking opportunities, professional services, and funding options across the state of New Mexico.
At the SBDC center, Jonathan is available to assist with everything from business registration consultations to developing comprehensive business plans and 3–5-year financial projections, which are essential for funding requests or contracting opportunities. Through various market research tools, he can help businesses make informed decisions and strategize for the future. The NMSBDC is committed to helping businesses succeed and aims to positively impact the economy by creating more jobs, businesses, and opportunities for our communities.
The SBDC office has relocated to NMSU-Grants campus at 1500 3rd St, inside the Teacher and Health Care Education building. If you would like to schedule an appointment, please contact Jonathan at 505-2876688 or email him at c ama c h o j@ nms u . e d u . Check out their website nmsbdc.org and Facebook page at facebook.com/GrantsNMSBDC for more information.