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
The 2024 Start Your Own Business Class
We are getting ready to gear up for the eighteenth year of the Start Your Own Business Class! The class starts each October, and features nine class segments designed to help aspiring entrepreneurs with technical knowledge to operate a successful enterprise while developing a network that can help coach small business owners through startup and…
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Grant Opportunities – Financing Available for Special Projects
Grants are relatively rare and require a well thought out plan, the ability to execute, matching funding, and adherence to grant parameters. Dollars invested through grant platforms are generally designed to inspire sustainable growth. Grants are generally highly competitive, and an application doesn’t guarantee an award. However, if you are interested in grants there are…
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The Placemaking to the 10th Power. New insights in making spaces, businesses, and communities great places for consumers and citizens.
One of the most complex functions of Main Street programs and economic/community development groups is that of “Placemaker”. Great places that are businesses, individual public spaces, or areas (like a downtown) require multiple programming approaches to make them stand out as a great place for consumers and citizens. Placemaking is super difficult to effectively implement,…
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Business & Organizational Evolution- How Are You Changing to Meet Different Needs?
It’s interesting how seemingly unrelated fields can help us improve entrepreneurship. Small businesses are often cited as part of an “ecosystem” by modern business experts, and the reference to a interdependent, almost biological, system that enhances small businesses is relatively new. Earlier descriptions would describe entrepreneurs as part of a “machine” during a more industrially…
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Consumer Surveys: Determining your business strengths and weaknesses from the perspective of your customersConsumer Surveys:
Obtaining quality customer feedback can be difficult for businesses. Some customers will be less than honest in face to face feedback with businesses because they don’t want to hurt someone’s feelings. Online feedback often seems like consumers either are super supporters or may have an axe to grind. What can a business do to gain…
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Summer Reset: Staff Training Focus for the Summer Months
The Emporia calendar is a little weird this year. We pushed through to May, and then saw a huge Cinco de Mayo/Dynamic Discs Open/La Grind event, followed by graduations, the Flatland Cruisers Car Show, Division II National Track and Field Championships at ESU, and Unbound Gravel activities. There have been visitors and traffic. In the…
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