Emporia Main Street celebrated a solid 2025-26 as part of its 35th Annual Meeting on Friday, but Executive Director Casey Woods says the work to enhance Emporia is far from finished.
Speaking ahead of the organization’s 35th Annual Meeting and Awards Ceremony on Friday, Woods says Main Street is ahead of schedule with some of its ventures.
Emporia Main Street also noted some key developments locally.
The recently-announced $100,000 grant through a partnership involving Main Street and The Hartford, coupled with Community Service Tax Credit allocations through the Kansas Department of Commerce, will lead to an upcoming expansion of space and scope for the Fab Lab at a time with Main Street’s next incubation business, Juniper & Sage, is nearing its official opening.
Alongside that, though, Woods says Emporia dealt with job losses through layoffs and business closures. And that leads to Main Street’s ongoing goals and objectives. Woods has several focal points for the next 5 years, notably when it comes to jobs and job quality.
Woods says Main Street has evolved considerably since it started in 1991, as has Emporia’s downtown business situation.
Woods says the entrepreneurial spirit is a key driver of a local economy.
The Annual Meeting featured several award recipients.
*Business of the Year: The Wagon Wheel
*Advocate of the Year: Michele Boyce
*Volunteer of the Year: Aaron Allen
*Rising Star: Alayna McGuire
*Steve Hanschu Excellence in Design: Toso Family Eye Care
*J Warren Brinkman Award for Historic Preservation: Radius Production and Taproom, T3LB
With the Annual Meeting now completed, Main Street is gearing up for its Welcome Back Block Party for Emporia State and Flint Hills Technical College students Aug 17 and the Great American Market on Sept 12. It is also getting ready for the Emporia High Apella Reunion Weekend Sept 18-20.
