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Residents of Lyon County and surrounding areas who were recently displaced from their jobs can turn to KANSASWORK Southeast for the support they need to return to the workforce. This organization provides a variety of services, including resume development, interview practice, and application assistance. Anyone who needs their help can access...

The Sweet Granada Celebrates Its 20th Anniversary a Favorite Gourmet Chocolate Shop in Emporia
Dec 20 2024Residents of Emporia, Kansas, craving a sweet treat have a beautiful dessert shop right in their backyard. Kim Redeker and her mom opened The Sweet Granada in November 2004, selling more than 200 handmade chocolates. Because of its massive popularity, the store has since expanded to a retail location in...

Glendo, the parent company of GRS® Tools, is relatively unknown in Emporia. However, it produces more than 700 stone setting and engraving products, which are used by major luxury jewelry brands worldwide. Glendo does business with more than 140 countries and brings students from around the world to Emporia, Kansas,...

Simmons Pet Food has been a staple of Emporia, Kansas, since 1998. In the 26 years since it first called Emporia home, Simmons has expanded its operations and become a leader in quality pet food production. While the company has always had a culture of innovation paired with sustainable growth,...

Since 1963, Flint Hills Technical College has supported the needs of Emporia, Kansas residents who wanted to grow their skills and enter the trades. Since 1995, it has maintained its associate degree-granting status and continues to expand its programs, coursework, and degree paths.However, the latest area of growth for FHTC...

Emporia Receives the First BDO Zone Rating in Kansas: a BBB Rating for its Corn Stover Reserves
Aug 9 2024The Emporia Regional Development Association (RDA) is proud to announce that Emporia-Lyon County was the first region in Kansas to receive a Bioeconomy Development Opportunity (BDO) Zone designation. BDO Zones are designed to highlight the newest and best regions for bio-based development and investment. Emporia was recognized for its corn...

Lyon County is actively taking steps to reduce the childcare deficit in the region while offering fair wages and supporting income equality for residents. In December 2023, The Emporia Area Chamber Foundation purchased the Maynard Elementary School building at 19 Constitution St. to turn it into a 24/7 daycare facility...

The first week in May marks Economic Development Week (EDW), a period where we reflect on the core values of the Regional Development Association of East Central Kansas (RDA) and our mission to support Emporia and Lyon County as a whole.The Emporia RDA staff and board members work tirelessly throughout...

Every year, athletes from around the world travel to Emporia for Unbound Gravel, a multi-day gravel biking event that features races, training camps, and an exposition with more than 100 vendors covering All Things Gravel. This year, the event runs from May 30 to June 2 and more than 12,000...

Emporia State University's Together, Forward fundraising campaign raised a record $91,714,500, the university revealed during the campaign celebration at ESU's Memorial Union Saturday evening.The $91 million campaign surpassed the original fundraising goals of $50 and $75 million, making it the most successful fundraising effort in ESU history.Donors, university staff and...

Visit Emporia announced Wednesday that $15,300 in Tourism Grants and Meeting/Event Incentives was awarded to eight local organizations.The purpose of the grant is to fund initiatives related to new marketing plans, new attractions or events, and first-time enhancements to existing events and attractions.Grants are awarded as follows:Read the full article...

A group of local entrepreneurs announced Wednesday the acquisition and rebranding of Harry and Lloyd’s East. The bar and restaurant, located at 728 E. Sixth Ave., will be rebranded as The Splash Pad.Local real estate agents Justin Tabares and Lynn Cunningham, along with Rick Lortz and Katie Tabares, comprise the...

Emporia is home to 300 acres of shovel-ready sites located at the connection of I-35 and I-335. Not only does Emporia sit between three major cities – Topeka, Wichita, and Kansas City – but it also serves as a valuable stop between Dallas and Minneapolis.Our team at the Regional Development...

The City of Emporia, along with Emporia Main Street and Ben Moore Studio, has received a $500,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to revitalize a building in downtown Emporia.Emporia is one of just three communities that are getting a share of $2 million in funding...

Google’s AI announcement: Google has announced plans to incorporate its Gemini large language models into a new web portal, chatbot, and some apps, with claims it beats OpenAI’s GPT-4 on all but 2 of 32 common performance benchmarks. Gemini Ulta, the largest of Google’s LLMs, will be sold inside the...

Artificial intelligence will help manufacturing by better understanding of demand for products and supply of inputs, with lesser impacts on what happens inside the plant. Robot technology continues to improve, but not at the rapid pace of the large language models (LLMs) that power chatbots such as ChatGPT.The LLMs have...

The Emporia City Commission approved a forgivable, 10-year $500,000 loan for Champions Landing Wednesday in a move that City Manager Trey Cocking said would help secure Emporia’s role as the “Disc Golf Capital of the World.”As previously reported by The Gazette, Jeremy Rusco purchased the former Emporia Community Club last...

20 Businesses Receive Funding from NetWork Kansas, Partners During JanuaryE-Community Loans –~Spencer Collision, LLC in Mound City. Partner: Linn County E-Community Foundation~Melanies Kitchen Asian Cuisine, LLC in Hays. Partner: Grow Hays~Tortilleria Las Amigas, LLC in Atwood. Partner: Rawlins Co Econ Dev.~T-Lo’s, LLC in Salina. Partner: Salina Area Chamber of Commerce~Kansas...
The Site Selectors Guild, Inc. (the “Guild”) is the only association of the world’s foremost professional site selection consultants. Guild members provide location strategy to corporations across the globe and for every industry, sector, and function. Founded in 2010, the Guild now comprises 67 members, many of whom are shareholders...

Childcare Shortages in the United States: A Growing Crisis with Far-Reaching Consequences
Feb 5 2024Childcare shortages in communities across the United States have reached critical levels, leaving families struggling to secure affordable and quality care for their children as they attempt to earn a living and contribute to economic development. This article delves into the depth of the issue, examining the shortage of childcare...

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that USDA is investing $207 million in renewable energy and domestic fertilizer projects to lower energy bills, generate new income, create jobs, and strengthen competition for U.S. farmers, ranchers and agricultural producers. Many of the projects are being funded by...

As the City moves forward into 2024, it is important to discuss some of the major projects that will impact and improve Emporia over the next year. These projects are designed to enhance our lives, infrastructure, and community.Citizens Survey: The first major step of 2024 is to ask our neighbors...

TOPEKA – Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland announced today $500,000 will be available under the Emergency Response Historic Economic Asset Lifeline (Emergency HEAL) program to bring rural downtown buildings back from likely demolition or collapse and rehabilitate them into productive commercial use.Emergency HEAL was created to provide...
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2023 was a busy year for the Regional Development Association of East Central Kansas (RDA). Our dedicated staff and our partners continue to invest in the economy, quality of life, and future of the region. Here are just a few of our accomplishments from the past year and some of...