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
Sign Language
Sign Language Creating Uniform Signage for Citizens and Visitors Within community circles, a lot has been made of the poor state of existing signage. Most criticism is well deserved. People and organizations are trying to make areas well defined through signs, but past efforts lacked cohesion necessary to create a true sign system. Each…
Continue Reading >Converting Festival Attendees into Paying Customers
We Have a Bunch of People, Now What? 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…
Continue Reading >Is Your Store Visually Appealing
Is Your Store Visually Appealing? Helpful hints to get your store ready before the 4th Quarter!- by Lauren Woolard The Holidays are right around the corner (only 92 days until Christmas, can you believe it?). Is your store ready for 4th quarter? There are some very simple steps you can take to have a clean,…
Continue Reading >Energy Efficiency
One future trend that concerns all businesses… How will your business mitigate the increasing costs of energy? "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…
Continue Reading >Is Your Business Student Friendly?
Making your business more “student” friendly With back to school right around the corner, here are some tips you might want to think about Growing enrollments at Flint Hills Technical College and Emporia State University reinforce something most of us already know: Emporia is a college town. In a college town, it is important…
Continue Reading >ADA Compliance
ADA- The Americans with Disabilities Act What it means for building owners and businesses, from a meeting with an ADA official. It is the responsibility of your local Main Street organization to learn about things that can potentially impact your business, building or community. We constantly have to assess our…
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