Emporia Main Street, Inc. is a non-profit agency committed to increasing consumer business, strengthening retail and professional institutions, assisting in the preservation and maintenance of the community’s heritage and promoting pride in the community’s institutions and achievements through design, promotion, business enhancement and organization committees. www.emporiamainstreet.comCompany Overview:Emporia Main Street is a public/private partnership, 501 C (6) entity. We work with private businesses, organizations, developers, government entities and community volunteers to develop a strong sustainable and livable community. www.emporiamainstreet.comProducts:Our products are promotional activities designed to bring people to town and into member businesses, educational activities which promote sustainable business practices and advocate for small businesses, data collection and consulting to help businesses succeed, design assistance, and a host of other customized goods and services compiled by community volunteers. www.emporiamainstreet.com

Organization means getting everyone working toward the same goal. The work of building consensus and cooperation among groups that have an important stake in the district can be eased by using the commonsense formula of a volunteer-driven program, an organizational structure of a board of directors and committees and a financially strong organization.

Promotion means selling the image and promise of Main Street to all prospects. By marketing the district’s unique characteristics to shoppers, investors and visitors, an effective promotional strategy forges a positive image through advertising, retail promotional activity and special events carried out by local volunteers.

Design means enhancing the visual quality of downtown through attention to all elements of the physical environment. An inviting atmosphere, created through window displays, parking areas, signs, sidewalks, street lights, landscaping and the buildings themselves, conveys a visual message of what Main Street is and what it has to offer.

Business Enhancement means strengthening the existing economic assets of the business district while diversifying its economic base. By helping existing businesses expand and recruiting new ones to respond to today’s market, Main Street programs help convert unused space into productive property and sharpen the competitiveness of business enterprises. Learn more at www.emporiamainstreet.com .

What Makes us Different? We are: 1. Comprehensive- No single focus – such as lavish public improvements, “name-brand” business recruitment or endless promotional events – can do the job. Downtown revitalization requires a comprehensive strategy.

1. Incremental- Small projects and simple activities lead to a more sophisticated understanding of the revitalization process and help develop skills to tackle more complex problems and ambitious projects.

2. Self-Help- Nobody else will save Main Street. Local leaders must have the will and desire to make the project successful. Continued long-term success depends on the involvement and commitment of the community.

3. Public-Private Partnership- Both the public and private sectors have a vital interest in the economic health and physical viability of the downtown. Each sector has a role to play, and each must understand the other’s strengths and limitations so that an effective partnership can develop.

4. Assets- History is on our side. Main Street must capitalize on the unique assets it already has, like the distinctive buildings, friendly shop owners and a human scale that give people a sense of belonging and pride.

5. Quality- Built to last. Quality must be emphasized in every aspect of the revitalization program; this applies equally to each program element, from storefront design to promotional campaigns to volunteer recruitment.

6. Change- Skeptics turn into believers. Almost no one believes Main Street can really turn around... at first. Changes in attitude and practice are slow but definite – and essential. Public support for change will build as the program grows.

7. Implementation-Oriented- Make a difference TODAY. Most towns have enough plans collecting dust on the shelves to last them through the century. Main Street focuses on activity that creates confidence in the program and creates visible changes that are a reminder that the revitalization effort is underway. Main Street plans for the future while creating change NOW. Learn more at www.emporiamainstreet.com

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