From historic grants to notable national recognition and expansive growth, 2023-2024 was a banner year for Emporia Main Street and those successes were celebrated Wednesday afternoon.
Main Street held its annual meeting inside of the Lyon County History Center where Main Street Director Casey Woods spoke with KVOE News and recapped the impressive year for the organization. Woods says one of the most notable innovations for Main Street this year was the larger use of data analytics to help drive development across the community.
Woods also noted the organization attained its highest level of grant funding in history over the past year on top of its second-place finish in the USA Today 10Best Main Street programs in America competition and the city’s reception of a $500,000 Hope VI grant through the Department of Housing and Urban Development to benefit a revitalization project at 502 Commercial Street. So how do you top such a tremendous 12 months?
That question was posed to newly appointed Main Street Board President Aaron Otto. Otto tells KVOE News Main Street has several projects in the works that cover a range of avenues.
Additionally, Otto says filling vacant spaces both downtown and across Emporia will be a major focus over the next year. Woods agreed and added they will be focusing on bringing more “one of one” unique businesses and experiences to town to give visitors a one-of-a-kind experience when they come to Emporia.
Also during Wednesday’s meeting, Main Street recognized its annual awards winners. Award recipients were as follows:
*Business of the Year: Mitchell Markowitz Construction
*Advocate of the Year: Bruce Boettcher
Volunteer of the Year: Courtney Steffes
*Steve Hanschu Excellence in Design Award: Liberty Medical
*J. Warren Brinkman Award: Stacy Hamman
*Rising Star Award: Jackie Morris
