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

Get Noticed

By Casey Woods | July 8, 2014

  Get Noticed     (in a positive way)     Businesses never ask "how can I blend in so no one notices me".  Businesses want to stand out, get noticed, create "buzz" and encourage that all important "word of mouth" advertising.  But how?  With trends changing quickly, a busy population and a cynical public, how…

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Does Pinterest Spark Your Interest?

By Casey Woods | July 8, 2014

Does spark your interest? A new type of social media is generating marketing buzz for savvy small businesses…    Product heavy and full of testimonials, Pinterest lets people "pin" their "interests" within categorized boards. Savvy small businesses attempt to take advantage of emerging trends.  One trending technology that burst onto the scene this spring is Pinterest.  It's scarry…

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Mobility in Card Processing

By Casey Woods | July 8, 2014

  Mobility in   Card Processing     Flexible Payment Solutions Help Small Businesses Thrive     Most of us are beyond the debate of "if" we need credit card processing.  Credit and Debit cards are a simple fact of life for most Americans.  Consumers are trading out the hassles of cash for the convenience…

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Situational Advertising

By Casey Woods | July 8, 2014

  Situational Advertising   Create brand awareness by responding to the world around you.   It was the biggest football game of the year, (a game that can't be named here without paying a fee), one team (lets call them team purple) returned a kick 109 yards for a touchdown.  Then the lights went out.  While most…

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Organic Leadership

By Casey Woods | July 8, 2014

  Organic Leadership      It's the choice for a new generation   In a recent meeting of Flint Hills Region professionals that were in their 20's and 30's a curious trend started to emerge through table discussions.  Facilitators lamented the "fact" that "fewer people in organizations are doing the majority of the work"…  Individuals disagreed. …

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An Environment for Growth

By Casey Woods | July 8, 2014

  An Environment   for Growth     How can we push the community into a more positive (and sustainable) trajectory?   "I'm pro-growth", "we need to grow", "the only way to fix our problems is to grow"…  With all the "growth" talk floating around, you would think that economists and economic development officials were…

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