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
Experts, City Officials, Main Street Managers, and Developers from around the state talk through a type of housing that works for communities.
Communities throughout the United States are struggling with housing. Growing communities struggle to acquire land and pay for infrastructure associated with housing developments with local tax dollars. Communities with static or shrinking populations are struggling to find ways to create housing that doesn’t negatively impact their tax base (fewer people paying for more spread out infrastructure…
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A transparent discussion on activity decisions for Emporia Main Street moving forward
We are aware that several local events are either being postponed or cancelled due to COVID. Every event is different, and various groups or organizations have different risk thresholds that they use to determine how to proceed with activities. Emporia Main Street understands that these event decisions are difficult, and every organization or business should…
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Stress Tests
When you and your staff have better coping strategies, you can avoid burnout We have all the elements of a perfect stress storm in work places right now. Businesses are understaffed, which places a higher workload on owners, managers, and team members. People are out after being cooped up for a long period, which means…
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Local Business to Offer Staffing Support
Emporia, KS – When the Pandemic hit, Misty Gardner (RN) found herself facing a professional and personal dilemma. Like others in her field, medical professionals were faced with grueling schedules and the challenge of children at home due to school and childcare facilities closing. Gardner realized that health care providers needed a way to manage their…
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New Job Board for Gigs, Part-Time, Full-Time, and Freelancers!
Across multiple industries, organizational types, and work place sizes businesses, governmental entities, and nonprofits are struggling to fill positions. After some thoughtful consideration by the Emporia Main Street Board of Directors, our Business Enhancement Team with assistance from IM Design Group, we are introducing a new tool to help (CLICK HERE). But, before we get…
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Details on the City of Emporia Fireworks Show!
In a year where many holiday traditions are just getting restarted, people are contacting the Emporia Main Street office inquiring about different activities. One of the most popular summer events is watching the City of Emporia fireworks display. Bernie Toso and his crew of local volunteers work hard to develop a great show, and per…
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