Emporia Main Street's BUSINESS ENHANCEMENT programs are implemented by a committee of volunteers along with Main Street staff. The primary goals of our business enhancement initiatives are to:
- support, educate, and provide resources for ALL entrepreneurs and businesses throughout Emporia
- grow a sustainable core business district downtown
Our business enhancement programs provide a wide variety of tools to assist new and existing businesses, catalyze property development, and create a supportive environment for entrepreneurs and innovators that strengthen Emporia's local economy.
Business Enhancement Programs
Start Your Own Business Class
If you're ready to take your business from concept to reality, the Start Your Own Business class is one of the best tools at your disposal.
Available Property Listings
We can help you find a property that's a great match for your business concept. If you own a property, contact us for a free listing!
Incubator Space
Next door to the Emporia Main Street office, this 1,100 square foot rent-free space is available to start-up businesses for a set period and includes business mentoring.
Business Consulting
Individual advice tailored to your business.
Grants, Loans & Tax Credits
Emporia Main Street provides access to wealth of financial incentives to start or expand a business, including our own low-interest loan program, matching fund opportunities, and assistance with local, state and federal financial programs.
Business Investment Guide
Created for entrepreneurs and developers, our Business Investment Guide outlines why Emporia is a great place to do business, and includes a list of available resources to get started.
Want to support budding entrepreneurs, or become an entrepreneur yourself?
Emporia Main Street is here to help your business grow. Your support also promotes overall economic development and re-investment in downtown and the community as a whole.
Interested in Joining the business enhancement committee?
The Business Enhancement Committee perfect for those who are passionate about business, fueling job growth in Emporia, and helping entrepreneurs launch or expand. Click the button below if you'd like to join!
Business Education
Show of Hands Year 2 – A successful entrepreneurial pitch activity is back!
Three 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 the rural communities of Laramie, Wyoming; Wheeling, West Virginia; and Emporia, Kansas. While researchers were busy studying us, each community got the chance to study…
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Fab Lab Update
The Fabrication Lab at Emporia Main Street came online in April of last year, and it has been a wild ride taking the concept to fruition. In the past eight months, Jeremy Wharton (the Fabrication Lab Manager) has helped businesses prototype new products, supported entrepreneurs testing out concepts, worked with event organizers to support merchandise…
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Business Strategy Recalibration
We are in the heart of the holiday rush, and I know you don’t need another thing to do, but what if I told you some simple notes during this month could help you focus your strategy for long term success? You want to be successful in the long term, correct? The holiday season creates…
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Customer Service: It’s Kinda A BIG Deal!
Some reminders as we approach peak holiday shopping season. The defining characteristic for small businesses is often service. I know that may seem unfair as large retail operations force self checkout and avoid human interaction at all costs, but your businesses’ ability to form a connection through great service to your customers creates loyalty, generates…
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National Emerging Business Trends
Growing opportunities for entrepreneurs. he National Main Street Center collects data from a variety of sources to highlight growth opportunities for Main Street businesses. National Program Officer, Matt Wagner, provided some insight during last week’s Kansas Main Street Quarterly Training on Maker Ecosystems. Here were some of the findings: Distributed workforce opportunities with geographically separated people working…
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Different Traffic, Different Trends
Measuring modes of transport for consumer behavior can enhance business outreach! Traffic counts are drivers that set a majority of development decisions for many lifestyle businesses over the 1980s and 1990s. Finding a big highway with a lot of traffic volume enticed certain types of developers to plop down a strip mall, fast food franchise, or…
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