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
#VaxToNormal
The Greater Emporia Area Disaster Relief Fund (GEADRF) is excited to announce the #VaxToNormal campaign. In partnership with Newman Regional Health and Lyon County Public Health, the GEADRF is working to increase vaccination rates in Chase, Coffey, Greenwood, Lyon, Morris, Osage, Wabaunsee, and Woodson counties. To encourage individuals to roll up their sleeves for a…
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Emporia Main Street designated as an accredited Main Street program for 2021
Emporia Main Street has been designated as an accredited Main Street™ program for meeting rigorous performance standards. Each year, Main Street America and its partners announce the list of accredited programs to recognize their exceptional commitment to preservation-based economic development and community revitalization through the Main Street Approach™.“We are proud to recognize this year’s 889…
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What is next in the realm of Community and Economic Development?
During the National Main Street Conference, we had the opportunity to listen to a variety of different speakers and researchers tracking changes in community and economic development cultures. Understanding those changes can enhance businesses ability to grow, and communities that embrace and anticipate changes can enhance their local economies.Amy Lui, the Vice President and Director…
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How Can You Help-A Push For Collaboration!
We have just made it through DDO week, which is the first “major” event held in Emporia since October of 2019. We shook some rust off, greeted guests, and promoted some business activity. But it was obvious that some things have changed since the pandemic took hold. Let’s talk through some ways that you can…
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What is the Cost of a Vacant Building?
“It’s not hurting anything.”“I can do whatever I want with whatever I own.”“I inherited it, and I’m really not in a hurry to let it go.”“It’s got sentimental value.”“For the right price (that I won’t provide) I may entertain an offer.”“It used to give me income, but I don’t know what to do with it…
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EMPORIA MAIN STREET EARNS NATIONAL REVITALIZATION AWARD
CHICAGO (April 2021) – Emporia Main Street in Emporia, Kansas, is one of six winners of the Main Street Forward Awards, which recognize communities that have shown exemplary recovery and resilience efforts amid the multiple crises of 2020. Selected by a national jury of economic development experts, Emporia Main Street (EMS) is being honored for…
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