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
What a Tangled Web – Online best practices in a chaotic age
Hey there, Emporia Main Street members!As we gear up for a vibrant season filled with events, graduations, and summer activities, it’s crucial to ensure our online presence is both secure and inviting. Let’s dive into some best practices to keep your business shining online.🚨 Spotting and Avoiding Scammers Scammers often exploit busy times, posing as…
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The Shifting Market – What to watch as you reposition your business
It sounds trite to repeat the old adage that “the only constant in life is change”, but it’s true. For entrepreneurs, the ability to manage changing markets, consumer expectations, legislative environments, and other external catalysts is critical to achieving success. Let’s quickly cover some things you need to watch as the environment shifts:
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Upcoming Opportunities – RSVP or Sign Up for Some Chances to GROW!
Emporia Main Street listens to our community partners, particularly when they express an interest in learning more about a topic, improving traffic, or generating community pride. With that said, there are several opportunities to get involved in upcoming activities:The Taste- This annual event will be held on April 12th in the Civic Auditorium. Not only can…
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Spring Cleaning Mentality – Looking forward to a new opportunities in the second quarter
The first quarter has been weird. Strange weather patterns caused more shut downs and traffic variability than in recent memory. Local, regional, and national trends have people attempting to keep up with rapid changes. Even sports teams on the collegiate or professional levels had some weird ends to their athletic years. April is right around…
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When Windows are More Than Windows – The impact of revitalization efforts and the choice to reinvest
Legend has it that the American Revolution was planned in a pub. While that may seem like a random way to start an article, it perfectly underscores an exciting transformation happening right here in Emporia. Recently, Burnap Brothers (722 Commercial Street) installed new upper-story windows, bringing fresh life to a space that had been boarded…
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Grant Opportunities – One local and one regional grant workshop may help set area organizations and communities up for successful projects
Two grant workshops recently opened for registration that can help organizations and communities seek funding for related projects. Utilizing alternative finance is important as we seek to build a better region, and accessing funds through workshop training is often an important component of solid community programming. Let’s talk through the two grant workshops and provide…
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