Blog
What a Tangled Web – Online best practices in a chaotic age
Hey there, Emporia Main Street members!As we gear up for a vibrant season filled with events, graduations, and summer activities, it's crucial to ensure our online presence is both secure...
The Shifting Market – What to watch as you reposition your business
It sounds trite to repeat the old adage that "the only constant in life is change", but it's true. For entrepreneurs, the ability to manage changing markets, consumer expectations, legislative...
Upcoming Opportunities – RSVP or Sign Up for Some Chances to GROW!
Emporia Main Street listens to our community partners, particularly when they express an interest in learning more about a topic, improving traffic, or generating community pride. With that said, there...
Spring Cleaning Mentality – Looking forward to a new opportunities in the second quarter
The first quarter has been weird. Strange weather patterns caused more shut downs and traffic variability than in recent memory. Local, regional, and national trends have people attempting to keep...
When Windows are More Than Windows – The impact of revitalization efforts and the choice to reinvest
Legend has it that the American Revolution was planned in a pub. While that may seem like a random way to start an article, it perfectly underscores an exciting transformation...
Grant Opportunities – One local and one regional grant workshop may help set area organizations and communities up for successful projects
Two grant workshops recently opened for registration that can help organizations and communities seek funding for related projects. Utilizing alternative finance is important as we seek to build a better...
The Big Picture – How our strategies impact the tax base
At a recent meeting, we discussed various economic approaches, and it became clear that many people don't see the connection between our development choices and the tax base. This realization...
BOOMS Tracker – A new more extensive inventory system to allow for more building assistance.
Federal and state assistance programs work at a much faster pace than a decade ago. New incentives may pop up with a very limited timeframe in which to act on...
Weather Woes some simple ideas to help make it through weather related traffic downturns.
As a small business owner, you have control over many aspects of your operation—your product and service mix, business hours, staff training, layout, merchandising, marketing, and more. However, one thing...
Show of Hands. The 4th Annual Business Pitch Event.
Five years ago, Emporia Main Street had an opportunity to participate in a study by the Brookings Institute. The study focused on the practices of three Main Street programs in...
User Stats for 2024. Understanding Shifts in the Marketplace.
Third party analytics are an important part of understanding the local market. Understanding how consumers react to a region can help businesses adjust hours, staffing, marketing plans, product/service priorities, and...
2024 Year In Review
Here’s a comprehensive bullet point list of accomplishments for the Emporia Main Street program from January through December 2024, organized by month: January 2024 Submitted year-end reports to the state....
K-State Selects Emporia Main Street for K-State 105 Entrepreneurial Blueprint Initiative!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Emporia, KS — Emporia Main Steet is one of 11 projects across Kansas that has been selected for the first cohort of the K-State 105 Entrepreneurial Blueprint...
The BIG Push: Christmas and New Year’s both are almost here.
Calendar quirks can significantly impact holiday sales. This year, both Christmas and New Year's fall on a Wednesday. Mid-week major holidays can provide specific challenges for businesses, shoppers, staff, and...
A New Grant Opportunity – The Turnbull Facade Grant Program.
Mike Turnbull was a huge advocate for the Emporia community. His work on various community boards, including Emporia Main Street, helped the area grow and change. Mike thought about continuing...
Making Spirits Bright! Creating a Fun & Festive Holiday Atmosphere for Your BusinessMaking Spirits Bright!
The holiday season is here, and it's the perfect opportunity for small businesses in Emporia to create a magical atmosphere that delights customers and energizes employees. With a little creativity,...
The Reasons for Shopping Local (and locally owned). A Healthy Community Starts with Smart Consumer Decisions.
Emporia Main Street supports local shopping all year long. Through events, marketing assistance, access to data, gift certificate programs, and a variety of other initiatives we encourage local citizens to...
Local Partners Launch Beyond the Banners Volume II -Publication Honors over 400 Service Men & Women
Emporia, KS — Emporia Main Street, KVOE Radio Stations, and IM Design Group are proud to announce the release of the second edition of Beyond the Banners, a commemorative book celebrating over...
Where is my banner?
Click HERE for a listing of the 2024 Banners at Emporia State University and in Downtown Emporia!
Fourth Quarter Entrepreneur Skills-What areas should you focus on improving as the holidays approach?
Inside the Emporia Main Street office, we often talk about "coaching" skills and improvement. A lot is asked of today's entrepreneurs, and understanding the skills that small businesses need to...
4th Quarter Primer: Getting ready for the most important time of the business year.
The last quarter of the year is that magical time where events get crazy, consumers have additional spending motivations, the hours get longer, and the length of days/weather can drastically...
Local SEO Optimization for Small Businesses. Getting noticed online is a key to driving in-store traffic.
In today's digital age, having a strong online presence is crucial for small businesses, especially in local communities like Emporia, Kansas. Local Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is a powerful tool...
An Energy Dollar Saved is an Energy Dollar Earned! Understanding efficiency options for your business.
Kansas businesses spend a higher percentage of their gross income on utilities than most of the nation. That fact isn't a knock on our utility companies, it is a function...
