Our board of directors leads our organization. The board of directors works along with Emporia Main Staff to engage and grow our membership, steer our overall vision, and forge partnerships with other community organizations.
Our organizational initiatives create a strong foundation for a sustainable growth of Emporia's downtown commercial district. In addition, organizational initiatives with our city and county partners benefit the entire area.
Organizational Initiatives
Community Initiated Development
In partnership with the City of Emporia, this project is for the community to proactively identify and initiate redevelopment.
Membership
Emporia Main Street was founded to serve the business needs of our members. Our board of directors works to grow our membership by ensuring that our programs provide educational, financial, and promotional value to our members.
Vision 2030
A strategic vision for the next decade, led by input from the community and our members.
Homegrown Capital Campaign
Our capital campaign raises funds to grow local business and employment in Emporia, by fostering entrepreneurship. The campaign has funded the new Emporia Main Street facility at 727 Commercial, which includes a business incubator space.
Other Organization Projects
Want to be a part of an active organization who gets things done?
Emporia Main Street makes visible and measurable impacts to help our community prosper.
Board of directors
Jeremy Johns – President
Radius Brewing Company
Aaron Sewell – Vice President
EK Real Estate
Mark McAnarney – Treasurer
City of Emporia
Tracy Weltha – Secretary
IM Design Group
Cory Falldine
Emporia State University
Eric Porter
ESB Financial
Staci Hamman
Coffelt Sign Company
Caron Daugherty
Flint Hills Technical College
Sally Sanchez
Hispanics of Today and Tomorrow
Aaron Otto
Brown's Shoe Fit
Jim Lauer
Town Royal
Organization Articles
Grant Opportunities – Financing Available for Special Projects
Grants are relatively rare and require a well thought out plan, the ability to execute, matching funding, and adherence to grant parameters. Dollars invested through grant platforms are generally designed to inspire sustainable growth. Grants are generally highly competitive, and an application doesn’t guarantee an award. However, if you are interested in grants there are…
Continue Reading >
How are metrics looking half way through 2024?
Can you believe we are half way through 2024? As we gear up for an August through December run that is chalk full of initiatives, let’s take a moment to check in with progress made through the first half of the year. Main Street utilizes the Main Street America “Four Point Approach” to generate sustainable…
Continue Reading >
Business & Organizational Evolution- How Are You Changing to Meet Different Needs?
It’s interesting how seemingly unrelated fields can help us improve entrepreneurship. Small businesses are often cited as part of an “ecosystem” by modern business experts, and the reference to a interdependent, almost biological, system that enhances small businesses is relatively new. Earlier descriptions would describe entrepreneurs as part of a “machine” during a more industrially…
Continue Reading >The Charge: Community Connectivity.
Main Street programs impact several elements of the community. We train and finance entrepreneurs, help develop the physical spaces of communities, develop and execute promotional activities, enhance volunteer efforts to improve the region, and raise resources to invest in catalyst projects. All of these different elements help build a sense of community, but why is…
Continue Reading >
Emporia Main Street Nominated for Best main Street in the Nation-Cast YOUR Vote Today!
A panel of industry experts and editors at USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards has chosen Emporia, KS as a nominee for Best Main Street. The intention of this award is to celebrate towns with great shops and restaurants along their town’s main street and a strong sense of hometown pride. Emporia Main Street is no stranger to…
Continue Reading >
Emporia Lands Hope VI Grant!
Please read the story at the Emporia Gazette!
Continue Reading >