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
Tech Time Savers
Time is a precious commodity for most entrepreneurs. Taking advantage of a few time saving strategies can help free you up for the other 1,000 things you have to do to run your business. 1. File Sharing – Using services like Google Docs or Drop Box, you can let people share, edit or comment on documents…
Continue Reading >Emporia Main Street Data For 2014
Each quarter, Emporia Main Street collects data for an area roughly identified as “downtown”. We conduct business outside of this area, but our original state reporting requirements that were tied to certain loan funds required us to report on a more centralized area. To maintain consistency in reporting, we have continued to report on changes…
Continue Reading >New Data Highlights Impact of Emporia Downtown Historic District
In May of 2012, Emporia Main Street was notified that our request for the development of a Federal and State recognized historic district was granted. For more than three years, volunteers and staff worked to educate the public about historic preservation and its specific role in community and economic development. In our original data set…
Continue Reading >Is Your Business Too Tech-Dependent?
Many of us are more technology dependent than we would like to admit. If our phones break or we get the “blue screen of death” on a home computer, we go through all the stages of grief in rapid succession. Today’s business computers store more than just your accounting data (although that’s REALLY important). Your…
Continue Reading >2014 In Review At Emporia Main Street
Emporia Main Street is a results oriented organization. The culture of measurable activities that push for community growth has been fostered by you, our membership, since the inception of the program in 1991. Each year, we look back briefly to assess what was accomplished during the calendar year, and we utilize your feedback to help…
Continue Reading >‘Tis the Season For Change
The recognition of fear with the very concept of change is something that all businesses, organizations and communities need to be acutely aware of. Abhorring change in all of its forms generally leads to decision paralysis, missed opportunities and decreased productivity. When people spend too much time talking about what facilitated old ideas and not…
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