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
10 Free Things You Can Do Right Now To Improve Your Business!
1. Keep it clean. Did you know that consumers determine whether they will enter your business in a 3 second time frame? A clean exterior and attractive windows can make a BIG difference. 2. Stay POSITIVE. Positive work environments are more fun for everyone; consumers included. Negativity drags everyone down, kills morale and will inevitably lead to a less…
Continue Reading >Converting Festival Attendees Into Paying Customers
Through the Promotions Point in the Main Street concept, we focus on community marketing, the production of “register ringers” (like Midnight Madness or the Shop Hop) and “gathering” events (like the Great American Market and Dirty Kanza). These three different promotional mindsets have different purposes and require alternate tactics for businesses to fully realize potential…
Continue Reading >Mitigating Your Business’ Energy Costs
“Overhead”. “The cost of doing business.” “Static costs.” Whenever a set or necessary item in business increases in cost, businesses panic a little. How will the business either eat the cost or pass it along to the consumer? Will increases in overhead make a business less competitive? How high could energy prices conceivably go? What can we do…
Continue Reading >Effective Advocacy for Local Business
Over the past few summers, we’ve heard from visitors to large Emporia events how much they like the Emporia community, how fantastic the people are and visitors expressed how much they appreciate our local businesses. In many instances, Emporia Main Street works with local businesses and the event coordinators to facilitate community “exploration” which we hope…
Continue Reading >Are Your Specials Actually Special?
Retailers, bars, restaurants and service businesses often struggle with “specials”. Financial incentives through discounting can draw consumers into a business if conducted correctly, but without a plan they can simply decrease your margins without helping your business grow. Too often, business people get so wrapped up in the rapid pace of daily operations that, when…
Continue Reading >What is Emporia’s Trade Market Area?
In business, we talk a lot about “the market”. Identification of customers, spending, demand and supply within an area is so important that it has its own discipline within schools of business called Marketing. But, when actually trying to apply market principles to demand and supply it is tempting to simply alter our market parameters…
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