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
Heal Grants for Downtown Buildings – A New State Program Can Help Specific Types of Building Rehabilitations
The Historic Economic Asset Lifeline (HEAL) grant was recently announced by the Kansas Department of Commerce. This program was developed “for the revitalization of underutilized, vacant, or dilapidated downtown buildings through the Historic Economic Asset Lifeline (HEAL) program. The grants are intended to bring buildings back into productive use as spaces for new or expanding businesses, childcare,…
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Caffeinated For a Cause
Local Coffee Shop Introduces New Brew that Benefits Emporia Main Street EMPORIA, KS- The Granada Coffee Company has extended their line of community coffees with a new 727 Blend. Named for Emporia Main Street, which is located at 727 Commercial Street, this medium roast coffee creates a unique flavor profile that pairs the sweet taste…
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Highlighting our local art history through the quilt block project!
The East-Central Region of Kansas has a rich and diverse history that informs our present. Emporia Main Street works with partner agencies and volunteers to enhance cultural celebrations, create athletic opportunities that highlight our natural beauty, preserve our historic architecture, and highlight the unique assets in our area. The founding of Veteran’s Day in the…
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4th Quarter Focus – Crunch Time for Businesses.
The last three months of the year are commonly referred to as the 4th Quarter, and as the year nears a close businesses need to close out strong! Depending on your business type, the next several weeks will require some different strategies to enhance sales, traffic, and profitability. Some unique economic challenges may provide some…
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Supporting the Local Entrepreneurial Ecosystem. Entrepreneurship Tax Credits Make Economic Sense with Targeted Delivery.
Emporia Main Street acts as a partner with a statewide group called Network Kansas. The Network Kansas group helps connect businesses in Lyon County with resources like training, loans, network connections, and more. Currently, Emporia Main Street manages over twenty loans for local business expansions or startups through the Network Kansas Lyon County E-Community, and…
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Downtown Construction Update
Some downtown street improvements are complete, a side street enhancement is under construction, and a large street resurfacing project is on the way. City of Emporia Public Works recently finished up “chip and seal” improvements on several side streets in the downtown area. If you have been by the Emporia Main Street office lately, you…
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