Year in Review 2017

Each year we take one e-news and dedicate it towards looking back over the previous year. We don’t want to linger in the past, but we do want to recognize what occurred as we continue to push forward. A lot was accomplished in 2017, and we anticipate a lot of excitement for new initiatives next year. The following is a brief look back:
January-
Participated in the USDA Funding Workshop
Hosted Mix and Match
Coordinated multiple “Connect Emporia” events
Provided King Liquor with a business transition loan
February-
Held our first ever “Speak Easy” event
Hosted a Social Media Workshop with ESU and EHS
Started Spring Semester internships for local businesses
Saw 923 Commercial finally sell!
Salsa Street Grill (a Start Your Own Business class graduate) opened
Produced a marketing table for the Sunflower Gymnastics Tournament
March-
Held a “How It’s Made” tour
Assisted with the Longest Lunch event with EDBL
Assisted with the St. Patrick’s Day pub crawl
Hosted a Quarter Mania
Spoke to KSU Architectural Students
Sent Glass Blown Open media outreach packages
Created special St. Pats Emporia Shirts
April-
Held “The Taste”
Hosted the GBO Block Party indoors (thanks to Mother Nature)
Assisted with the Kansas Craft Brew week launch event
Helped the Farmers Market with their new outdoor location selection and announcement
Produced new downtown vinyl wrap maps
Held a downtown cleanup
Was one of seven Main Street communities cited in the United States by National Main Street President, Patrice Frey, as part of her #realmainstreet initiative
Hosted a “Community Trek” with ESU
Participated as a judge in the Entrepreneurial Challenge
Worked with local groups on a downtown garden prep for the Adopt a Garden project
Created “Welcome Wagon” chalking for the GBO
Took Veterans Banners applications
Cited by the Brookings Institute as an example of sustainable development
May-
Launched new “I Heart Emporia” shirts
Assisted HOTT with Cinco de Mayo planning and implementation
Assisted the Flatland Cruisers with their carshow
Conducted Dirty Kanza media outreach
Worked with Eat Drink and Be Local on the Plumb Place garden donation and announcement
Obtained a Network Kansas grant for a local business
Conducted EHS business tours
Created new comprehensive event calendars
Provided a startup loan to Big Ben’s Auto
Gave two presentations at the National Main Street conference
Hosted two summer “Work Study” interns with ESU
Provided business tours for students at Northern Heights High School
June-
Created a new conduit for reporting Chronically Vacant Buildings
Presented to the City of Emporia during the Appropriations Process
Provided assistance to the Comprehensive Land Use plan team
Launched the new iteration of the “I’m a Main Streeter” testimonial campaign
Hosted the Dirty Kanza Finish Line Party
Coordinated the first dedicated “Kids Zone” for the Dirty Kanza
July-
Started formal Membership Drive
Conducted the Veterans Banner lottery
Assisted ESU with E-Experience Coupons
Hosted the Emporia Main Street Annual Meeting
Conducted a Downtown Cleanup
Held voting on the Adopt a Garden project
Presented annual Main Street awards
Hosted Midnight Madness
Assisted with Summerfest (judging)
Assisted with Homegrown Celebration (judging)
Announced a new Mixed Use and a new Housing Development
Assisted as two new facade developments began
Held a special “behind the scenes” How It’s Made tour with the Emporia Zoo
August-
Hosted the Back to School Block Party for ESU and FHTC Students
Held a Mix and Match for new community residents
Attended a Kansas Main Street training
Presented information to the planning commission on the Roosevelt Plaza & Lofts and the Legacy Lofts project
Announced the opening of European Antiques
Held a downtown cleanup
Hosted a two day tour with the National Main Street President
Participated in a Fab Lab educational tour
September-
Held the Great American Market
Assisted with the Longest Lunch
Hosted a Quarter Mania
Presented information to the Flint Hills Regional Council
Held a Board Retreat
Placed on the National Main Street Education Committee
Presented to the ESU Leadership Class
Named one of the top seven places to “move to and open a business” by Forbes
Coordinated Fall CII Interns with ESU
Hosted a marketing analytics intern with ESU
Launched new gift certificate designs
October-
Held Haunted Tours
Hosted Trick or Treat downtown
Held a “Beyond the Banners” release party
Promoted Tailgate and Open Late
Launched the Start Your Own Business class
Held an “Eek town costume contest”
Coordinated a Veterans Banners display downtown
Hosted a “Social Media 2.0” conference with ESU and EHS
Provided funding to 3 Fingers BBQ and promoted their “kitchen incubator”
Assisted with Oktoberfest
Held ESU Downtown Tours
Hosted two Emporia High School reunions on community tours
Launched the “Emporia Hearts Hops” special release shirt
November-
Collected items for Soldier Care Packages and sent them overseas
Hosted the Start Your Own Business Class graduation
Held the Public Improvement Auction
Coordinated the downtown lamp post lighting
Promoted Small Business Saturday
Held the second annual “Sugar Stroll”
Wrapped doors and distributed information for Red Ribbon Merchants
Hosted Freedom Fest, with a new disc golf element (thanks Dynamic Discs) and new custom trophies (thanks FHTC Welding).
Worked with an ESU Photo intern
Featured in the Kansas Government Journal for the Veterans Banner project
Cleaned and stored all 258 Veterans Banners. Contacted first year sponsors for renewal.
December-
Hosted Carriage rides
Held Midnight Madness
Hosted Quarter Mania
Provided Loan Funds for Xan-a-Do
Provided Loan Funds for Star Mart
Shot Red Ribbon Merchant videos
Launched the “Give a Gift” portion of Beyond the Banners
Hosted a “My Mainstreet” photo contest
Supervised the demolition of the interior of 727 Commercial Street
Released 2017 Monkey Island Christmas ornaments
Updated Historic Photo album
Participated in check presentations for Kiwanis and Plumb Place
We did a lot more than what is listed, but that is a good overview. Overall, we had about 12,000 volunteer hours donated. Solid work was provided by the Board of Directors, Promotions Team, Design Team, and Business Enhancement Committee. We can always do more, and we are looking forward to a hectic 2018 with a long list of “firsts” for the Emporia community (more on that in an upcoming 2018 preview e-news).
Thank you for all of your support. Without you, the list of accomplishments listed above simply wouldn’t be possible.