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 Future of Point of Sale
Revolutionizing an Integrated & Seamless Buying Experience By Shane Wilson – Special Projects Coordinator Remember this old thing? During its time and place, it served a very valuable purpose – turning a business’ sale into a deposit, while also doing some basic calculations. This was the height of technology at one point in time –…
Continue Reading >The Donation Dilemma
Giving purpose to your donation strategy By Shane Wilson – Special Projects Coordinator Let’s face it – it’s the time of year where every business is seemingly bombarded with donation requests. While the agencies making these requests almost always have good intentions, it’s hard to keep up with the sheer amount of “asks.” Emporia Main…
Continue Reading >Millennials – Generation “Why?”
The “Me Me Me Generation” & Our Community By Shane Wilson – Special Projects Coordinator At Emporia Main Street, we have daily discussions about how to move the community forward in an onslaught of ever-changing demographics, trends, generational tendencies, business models – you name it. I wanted to take this week’s newsletter as an opportunity…
Continue Reading >Are You An Artisan Or An Entrepreneur?
The vast majority of the articles included in the newsletter are geared towards businesses and organizations. I thought we’d take a break from that for a week to simply explain a major point of confusion with many community members when they are looking at the actions (or inaction) of local property owners, businesses and organizations.…
Continue Reading >The Future Economy
Are you (and your business) prepared? Part of the Economic Restructuring point requires us to “look ahead” for future economic trends based on social, technological, environmental, governmental or demographic projections. That’s not an easy job, but it is necessary for businesses and community strategies to intersect with future economic changes rather than simply react to…
Continue Reading >Seven Deadly Mistakes That Impact Your Business
Mid-sized communities definitely have their advantages. We get the best of the “small town feel” while we have a variety of different business and organizational opportunities available. Within smaller communities, organizations and businesses can fall into certain habits or ill conceived strategies that could damage their culture and future growth prospects. After working with several businesses in…
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