Rules committee advances Joshua Grisham reappointment to Small Business Investment Corporation

The Senate Rules Committee voted to advance the reappointment of Joshua Grisham to the Small Business Investment Corporation to the Senate floor following testimony emphasizing his rural banking background and the SBIC’s role in supporting small businesses across New Mexico.

Sen. Scott introduced Grisham as a banker from Hobbs with degrees in business administration and noted his volunteer service on local hospital and economic development boards. Supporters including Chris Moya of the Independent Community Bankers Association and Missy Currier, who worked with Grisham during COVID relief efforts, told the committee Grisham brings practical community banking experience and leadership on emergency business assistance.

Grisham said he sees the SBIC’s micro‑lending work as the “ground floor” for business growth and described the pathway from micro loans to community bank lending and job creation. He told the committee small businesses across both urban and rural areas face similar challenges, including regulatory burdens and rising costs; he also cited insurance cost increases as a statewide risk to lending.

Committee members asked whether Grisham had reached out to other board members and how SBIC work in Lee County translates statewide; Grisham said the board is diverse and that local approaches can scale to other parts of New Mexico.

Sen. Stewart moved to advance the nomination to the full Senate. The committee then conducted a roll call that resulted in nine yes votes and one excused; senators recorded as voting yes included Bergman, Block, Brantley, Gallegos, Lopez, Stewart, Townsend, Jaramillo and Duhigg. The clerk announced Grisham will be scheduled for a full Senate confirmation vote.

Supporters stressed Grisham’s emphasis on diversification and retention of existing businesses, and noted his role helping distribute pandemic‑era federal and state relief in his region.