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.
Business Enhancement Committee Volunteers
Shawn Honea, Chair
IM Design Group
James Willingham
Emporia State University
Rob Scheib
USD 253
Tom Mains
ValuNet FIBER
Lori Andrews
ESB Financial
Bruce Boettcher
BG Consultants
Jana Marstall
USD 253
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
Valentines Day is a Month Away!
Your first shot to make some money in 2020 It seems like we all just survived the holiday season, but the calendar marches on! Valentines Day is coming up in a month, and the holiday serves as a major revenue driver for many retailers, restaurants, and entertainment venues. Instead of our normal bullet business tips,…
Continue Reading >2019 Year In Review!
A brief look back before we begin 2020! Emporia Main Street doesn’t spend a lot of time looking backward in time. We’ve found that too much time looking behind you causes organizations to miss the opportunities in front of them. However, the change of a year (or decade in this instance) gives us the opportunity…
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Finish Strong During The Holidays
If you are in the world of retail or some service based businesses, you are scanning this article with glazed over eyes. You are probably a little exhausted with the season, but your efforts over the next few days can make a huge sales difference for your business. In the interest of brevity, we are…
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The Holiday Sell By Date
A series of upcoming retail time periods require different targeting The 4th Quarter is typically a critical time for most retail, and some service based businesses. The whole concept of “Black Friday” was once a reference to many retailers operating “in the red” for a majority of the year before strong holiday sales pushed their…
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Projecting Messages
The Internet is forever. For those of us that grew up in the pre-commercial internet/social media age, communication was temporary. A face to face conversation or phone call evaporated from memories over time. Video tape degraded. The written word could be lost to time. In the digital age, the public communication tone, tenor, and content…
Continue Reading >The Land of O.Z.
Helping people invest in their community is one of the most important jobs in economic development. We know that if people inside a community won’t invest, people outside of a community certainly won’t. We also understand that catalyst tools are necessary to help decrease risk and improve property values. Over the past decade, Emporia Main…
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