Business Enhancement

Our business enhancement programs launch entrepreneurs and help small businesses grow

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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

Net Neutrality & Its Effects On Your Business

By Casey Woods | June 23, 2015

Technology is the great equalizer for many businesses.  Because tech is based on creative ideas, and it’s popularity is supported by the masses, there is something strangely entrepreneurial and democratic ingrained in the DNA of today’s internet based technology.  The internet accelerated the democratization of tech.  Small businesses can sell items to anyone with a…

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New Spins on Traditional Promotions

By Casey Woods | June 23, 2015

Looking to the past for ideas that can be updated for the present is a solid promotional tactic.  Identifying current promotions that can partner with store fronts is another way we can develop new promotional tools.  The old “sidewalk sale” that ran in the middle of the work day went the way of the “one…

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IKE and Its Role in Area Crowdfunding

By Casey Woods | June 23, 2015

The word “crowdfunding” has become associated with on-line portals like kickstarter or IndieGoGo which provide people the opportunity to donate to a business start up-sometimes in exchange for basic merchandise.  Because these are basically considered donations with a high “buyer beware” threshold, they aren’t deemed a security.  Those of us that concentrate on funding for small…

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Dirty Kanza 200 – A “Decade of Dirty” In The Books!

By Casey Woods | June 23, 2015

It seems like the organizers of the Dirty Kanza outdo themselves each year.  For the now decade old Dirty Kanza, they added hundreds of “lite” ride participants (20 or 50 mile riders) on top of the 1,500 riders that participated in the “half pint” ride (one hundred miles) and the Dirty Kanza 200 mile race.…

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Kansas Sales Tax Rates Changing July 1st

By Casey Woods | June 23, 2015

The sales tax rate for the City of Emporia is currently 8.15%.  The recent state budget bill increased the sales tax rate for the state of Kansas by .35%.  The resulting sales tax rate for the City of Emporia will be 8.5%.  This rate change will take place on July 1, 2015. When sales tax…

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Window Displays that POP!

By Casey Woods | September 24, 2014

Window Displays That Pop!   Your window displays are your first impression.  Do they catch your attention?- By Lauren Woolard   Windows are your first chance to make an impression on consumers.  Do your displays invite people in? Do they tell a story about your merchandise? If the answer to these questions is “no”, then…

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