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
2024 Year In Review
Here’s a comprehensive bullet point list of accomplishments for the Emporia Main Street program from January through December 2024, organized by month: January 2024 February 2024 March 2024 April 2024 May 2024 June 2024 July 2024 August 2024 September 2024 October 2024 November 2024 December 2024 Fabrication Lab 2024 Loans Businesses Lost/Gained Total Investment Impact…
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K-State Selects Emporia Main Street for K-State 105 Entrepreneurial Blueprint Initiative!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Emporia, KS — Emporia Main Steet is one of 11 projects across Kansas that has been selected for the first cohort of the K-State 105 Entrepreneurial Blueprint Initiative. Through the K-State 105 Entrepreneurial Blueprint Initiative, Kansas State University and Network Kansas are partnering with communities across Kansas to support entrepreneurship and small business development. …
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Local Partners Launch Beyond the Banners Volume II -Publication Honors over 400 Service Men & Women
Emporia, KS — Emporia Main Street, KVOE Radio Stations, and IM Design Group are proud to announce the release of the second edition of Beyond the Banners, a commemorative book celebrating over 400 Veterans that have been featured in Emporia Main Street’s Veterans Banner Program. Since its inception in 2014, this program has honored local and area…
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Fourth Quarter Entrepreneur Skills-What areas should you focus on improving as the holidays approach?
Inside the Emporia Main Street office, we often talk about “coaching” skills and improvement. A lot is asked of today’s entrepreneurs, and understanding the skills that small businesses need to practice can enable better business results. The following are five basic focal points to help you grow through the holiday season. 1. Community Engagement and…
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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…
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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…
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