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
New Murals Installed Downtown
As we try to kick start 2022, we are excited to announce the installation of two new interactive murals downtown.In the spring of 2020 Emporia Main Street worked with Coffelt Sign Company and the Kansas Creative Arts industries Commission to produce a series of temporary interactive murals in the downtown area. Public art benefits a…
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Year In Review -2021
The 2021 year started with some promise. Vaccines were coming on the market; restrictions meant to help our health care systems were starting to loosen up in the spring; and some activities resumed with some extra help through a variety of governmental assistance programs. We didn’t improve as much as we wanted to, and some…
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Christmas is on Saturday, and that day/date combination can change things for businesses.
When Christmas lands on a Saturday it can cause some adjustments for the before Christmas shopper, and after Christmas crowds. A lot of the consumer behavior adjustments are actually good for small businesses if entrepreneurs market appropriately. Here are some things you need to remember (briefly, because I know this week is hectic): Out of…
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Local Gift Certificate Program to Benefit Employees in Education and Healthcare.
Two Holiday recognition programs are back at Emporia Main Street- just in time for Christmas. This month, the non-profit organization re-launched the popular 2020 programs; Adopt-A-Newman Healthcare Hero and Teacher & Staff Holiday Gifts. Each initiative is designed to boost community spirit and support locally owned businesses.Last year, with several students attending school remotely, it…
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Businesses must generate visibility to capitalize on holiday sales.
December is here, and small businesses have a few short weeks left in the countdown to the end of 2021. This month can get super busy for many entrepreneurs, but traffic and sales over the next month are absolutely critical to business success. Consumers have choices, and to make sure they are choosing your business…
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A Soft Spoken Community Win: The story of one local family that brought a building back from the brink of demolition to expand a unique local business.
Emporia is the type of community that constantly faces opportunities and threats. Individuals who go above and beyond the call often make the difference in the general direction of the region. Instead of focusing on business advice, design information, upcoming events, or our other general topics, this newsletter article will focus on a family that…
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