Both Emporia Main Street and the Emporia Arts Center have been added to the ever-expanding list of local schedule adjustments following announcements from both organizations Monday.
Emporia Main Street announced Monday it would be postponing a major spring event until fall. The annual Taste has been rescheduled to Sept. 26th.
Main Street has also canceled the Main Street Quartermania event scheduled for this Thursday. Main Street Director Casey Woods says despite the schedule adjustments, Main Street is still up and running.
Woods says there are efforts underway from the Small Business Administration to assist local businesses which may have been significantly impacted by coronavirus through an economic injury disaster loan program. The program provides small businesses with working capital loans of up to $2 million that can help to offset any financial losses they may be experiencing during the pandemic. Woods says they have sent out those forms to local business owners with the forms needing to be completed by 5 pm Monday.
Additionally Main Street has sent out a survey to gather information from local businesses as to what resources are needed to help them stay afloat at this time. Woods asks that all business owners fill out and return the survey as quickly as possible.
While Main Street remains up and running at this time, the Emporia Arts Center has closed for the week with all activities canceled until Mar. 24. EAC Director Dawn Young says this is not being treated as a week off by their staff as they are spending the time cleaning and ensuring the center is as healthy an environment as possible for when they reopen on the 24th.
Young adds they are currently meeting to discuss the future of upcoming events such as the Sybarite (SIH-BUH-RITE) 5 concert as part of the Performing Arts Series in April.
For more information contact Emporia Main Street at 620-340-6430 or visit their website Emporiamainstreet.com. Additionally, for more information on the Emporia Arts Center visit Emporiaksarts.org.
