GrowRaton

What GrowRaton does

GrowRaton, legally the Greater Raton Economic Development Corporation, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2010 and certified by the New Mexico Economic Development Department. Headquartered in Raton, New Mexico (population ~6,047 per the 2020 census), the organization provides free economic and community development services to local entrepreneurs, small business owners, farmers, makers, artisans, and companies considering expansion or relocation into Colfax County. Its service portfolio includes technical assistance, strategic and business planning, succession planning, public community forums, bi-annual After Hours networking events, the weekly Raton Cottage Market, and the BIZ Minute radio program on KRTN Enchanted Air Radio. GrowRaton does not develop proprietary technology; instead, it delivers its programs directly and through partnerships, leveraging third-party platforms such as RCAC's InitiateProsperity (online business plan curriculum) and the Center for Community Innovation's SkillSharp (workforce development tool), and is advancing a planned shared commercial kitchen at 300 S 3rd Street to support food entrepreneurs.

The organization's business model is a hybrid of grant funding, recurring membership/sponsorship fees, event sponsorships, and tax-deductible donations. Services to end users are provided at no cost. Membership tiers range from Community at $100 through Platinum at $1,000 on a 13-month term, offering graduated benefits including business listings, Constant Contact eBlasts, Facebook boosts on property listings, and premium website placement. Grants, typically 1–2 years in length, fund the Community/Business Development Coordinator position, office operations, and program delivery. Strategic partners include the City of Raton, Colfax County, NMEDD, RCAC, Luna Community College SBDC, the Center for Community Innovation, and Raton MainStreet, among others. In December 2025, the board transitioned leadership, with Shayne Young becoming President and Dr. Loretta Conder joining as Secretary, signaling continuity of mission and an emphasis on facility-based program expansion.

Name

GrowRaton

Legal name

Greater Raton Economic Development Corporation

Website

https://growraton.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

GrowRaton is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit economic development corporation in Raton, New Mexico that provides free training, networking, and planning services to local entrepreneurs and small businesses, funded by grants, memberships, and sponsorships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Economic Development Services

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAIACAN

Economic Development & Business Licensing (Local)

Business & Public Services/Public Sector & Government Administration/Local/Municipal Government Administration

SECONDARYEDAAAFAK

Small Business & Entrepreneurship Community Education

Education/Adult & Continuing Education/Community & Public Education Programs (Libraries, Community Centers)

SECONDARYEDAMAHAG

Marketing, Branding & Sales Skills

Education/Supplemental & Enrichment Programs (Arts, STEM, Language)/Entrepreneurship & Business Enrichment

Keywords

• Economic development services
• Small business support
• Entrepreneurship training
• Community development programs
• Business networking events

Headquarters

HQ city

Raton

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Grant Funding: Primary funding source for GrowRaton operations. Grant funding is typically for one to two years and supports the Community Coordinator position, office maintenance, and service delivery.
2. Business Sponsorships and Memberships: GrowRaton offers membership tiers (Community Membership $100, Bronze $250, Silver $500, Gold $750, Platinum $1,000) that provide business listing, networking access, mentoring, and marketing assistance to local businesses.
3. Donations: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, GrowRaton accepts tax-deductible donations from individuals, businesses, and foundations to support economic development programs.
4. Event Sponsorships: Local businesses sponsor After Hours networking events and other community programming in exchange for visibility and community engagement opportunities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

GrowRaton (Greater Raton Economic Development Corporation) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides free economic development services to entrepreneurs and small business owners in the greater Raton, New Mexico area. Core offerings include technical assistance, strategic and business planning, after-hours networking events, the Raton Cottage Market, and education/training courses delivered in partnership with the Center for Community Innovation, RCAC, and Luna Community College SBDC.

Product overview

GrowRaton (Greater Raton Economic Development Corporation) is a community-based nonprofit economic development organization offering a portfolio of programs and services rather than a unified technology product. Core offerings include the After Hours Networking Event and Raton Cottage Market for business networking and local market access; Technical Assistance and Strategic & Business Planning services for business development; the InitiateProsperity online curriculum and SkillSharp training tools for workforce development; BIZ Minute audio content for business education; and a planned Shared Commercial Kitchen facility to support food entrepreneurs. The organization functions as an economic development intermediary, not a software platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Raton Cottage Market
• After Hours Networking Event
• Technical Assistance Services
• Strategic & Business Planning
• BIZ Minute
• Education & Training

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 110 attendees and 47 businesses represented at Spring 2023 After Hours event
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Tascosa Office MachinesminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 14 March 2023Sponsor of the Spring 2023 After Hours networking event. Largest Canon and Sharp dealer in West Texas and Eastern New Mexico.
• Home Associates, Inc.minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 14 March 2023Sponsor of the Spring 2023 After Hours networking event. Real estate services company with over 30 years of local market experience.
• George & Gonzales, CPAminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 14 March 2023Sponsor of the Spring 2023 After Hours networking event. Provides bookkeeping, tax preparation, and consulting services for nearly 50 years.
• RCAC (Rural Communities Assistance Corporation)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrowRaton partners with RCAC to provide workshop training for entrepreneurs using the online InitiateProsperity curriculum for business plan development. RCAC also provides Initiate Prosperity training to sponsors as a membership benefit.
• Luna Community College Small Business Development Center (SBDC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSBDC staff at Luna Community College in Las Vegas, NM serve Raton and Colfax County. Staff members are available to travel to Raton to meet with entrepreneurs who want to utilize their services.
• Center for Community Innovation (CCI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrowRaton partners with the Center for Community Innovation to sponsor information technology and entrepreneurial training courses. CCI hosts SkillSharp online training tool and provides coworking space for solopreneurs.
• New Mexico Economic Development DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrowRaton is a certified economic development organization recognized by the NMEDD. Partners on workforce development initiatives including JTIP and Rapid Workforce Development Act programs.
• Raton MainStreetminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization focused on revitalizing downtown Raton and fostering business prosperity. Collaborates on community events and beautification initiatives.
• City of RatoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrowRaton works with the City of Raton on economic development initiatives, workforce development, and community programs. The Hub building is city-owned.
• Colfax CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerColfax County partners with GrowRaton on economic development through LEDA ordinances and County Commission appointments to regional boards.
• Raton Master GardenersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners with GrowRaton's Community Beautification task force on tree and shrub plantings in downtown area to improve curbside appeal.
• Raton Housing AuthorityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners with GrowRaton's Housing Task Force to pre-qualify low-income and veteran homeowners for property assistance programs.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Northeast Economic Development District Organization (NEEDO): NEEDO is the North Central New Mexico Economic Development District board on which GrowRaton's VP serves. It is a directly comparable regional economic development organization serving overlapping New Mexico communities.
• Center for Community Innovation (CCI): A direct strategic partner of GrowRaton, CCI hosts the SkillSharp workforce training platform and provides co-working space for solopreneurs in Raton — operating a comparable nonprofit model of community-based economic and workforce development.
• Rural Communities Assistance Corporation (RCAC): RCAC is a Core strategic partner that provides the InitiateProsperity business plan curriculum used by GrowRaton. As a rural-focused community development nonprofit with similar mission and target beneficiary base, it is a direct functional peer.
• SCORE: SCORE is a national nonprofit that provides free business mentoring, training, and resources to entrepreneurs — closely mirroring GrowRaton's core service offering of free technical assistance and business development support to small businesses.
• Main Street America: Main Street America is the leading nonprofit focused on downtown revitalization and small-business support. GrowRaton's partnerships with Raton MainStreet for beautification and downtown revitalization place it within the same operating niche.

Broad incumbents

• America's SBDC: America's SBDC is the national umbrella for Small Business Development Centers, including the Luna Community College SBDC that partners with GrowRaton. It is a broader-scale incumbent offering overlapping counseling and training services to the same SMB/entrepreneur segment.
• National Association of Development Organizations (NADO): NADO is the national trade association for regional development organizations and EDOs. GrowRaton's similar role as a multi-county economic development entity makes NADO a comparable incumbent trade body and ecosystem convener.
• International Economic Development Council (IEDC): IEDC is the largest membership organization for economic development professionals globally and is linked from GrowRaton's own site. It represents the broader professional/incumbent landscape of which GrowRaton's certified EDO status makes it a member.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/GrowRatonNM
• Xx.com/growraton
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/greater-raton-economic-development-corporation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about GrowRaton