Visit our founding sponsor and annual committee member - the award winning and top 10 National Main Street - Emporia Main Street

Our downtown is the heartbeat of our community hosting numerous national events, competitions, and parades.  We are also very proud of our beautiful district, unique shopping and eating establishments and the many volunteers and small businesses who make Emporia Downtown and the Emporia Main Street community a very special place to visit!

Emporia Main Street is a founding sponsor and annual committee member of the Emporia Freedom Fest organization.  This 18 year partnership has helped develop one of the finest Veterans week programs and support of the beautiful All Veterans Memorial located by our amazing Zoo on South Commercial Street.  Visit our website and stop by our office at 727 S. Commercial Street to discover and catch the vibe of Downtown Proud!

A few of our proud moments serving our community:

Community Accolades

  • Best Places to Do Business in Kansas, #5 - NerdWallet
  • Best Small Cities in America, #25 - NerdWallet
  • Quit Your Job: 7 Places in the US you can afford to be an entrepreneur - Forbes
  • Top 10 affordable small towns where you'd actually want to live, #6 - Realtor.com
  • Emporia's Commercial Street Named Best Main Street in the USA! - USA Today Reader's Choice

Emporia Main Street Organizational Awards & Achievements

  • 2021 National Main Street Forward Award Winner for our programs to support small business during the Covid-19 pandemic
  • In 2020, Emporia was one of 3 communities selected and studied by the Brookings Institute as a model for strengthening rural economies, based on the successes of Emporia Main Street programs.
  • Great American Main Street Award Winner
  • Emporia Main Street's Veterans Banner Project has been adopted by over 50 communities throughout U.S.
  • Emporia Main Street's Business Investment Guide has been replicated by numerous Main Street programs around the country, and has been featured in the national State of Main publication.
  • Emporia Main Street is a leader in the Main Street America program. Our director, staff, and volunteers have been featured speakers at the National Main Street Now conference every year since 2014, educating other communities about our rural economic development programs and initiatives that have made an impactful change.