The Emporia Area Chamber of Commerce Supports Companies of All Size and Industries

Any industry in Emporia, Kansas, and greater Lyon County benefits from the hard work done at the Emporia Area Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber manages several programs to promote the growth of companies in the region while also supporting quality of life. It is a close partner of the Emporia Regional Development Association (RDA) which focuses its efforts on economic development.

“We are a membership-based organization that works to make the business community successful,” says Jeanine McKenna, President and CEO of the Chamber since 2000. “We allocate our time to advocacy, professional development, and resource curation to have the maximum impact on the community.”  

Learn more about the Emporia Area Chamber of Commerce and the various programs it runs throughout the year. See how the Chamber works closely with the RDA to help Lyon County thrive.  

The Chamber Works on Several Emporia Projects Annually

Emporia business owners can visit the Chamber at 719 Commercial St; however, the organization hosts events throughout the year to bring members across town so they can enjoy the various businesses and amenities that Emporia has to offer.

McKenna emphasizes that even if a business isn’t an active member, its contribution through joining allows the Chamber to grow Emporia and support regional businesses.

“Area businesses should know they have someone here working for them,” says McKenna.

Last year, the Chamber opened a daycare center for Emporia families and is currently focused on housing initiatives to help residents gain access to quality affordable housing. Both of these efforts directly help businesses by growing their qualified applicant pools.

Outside of these programs, the Chamber has an advocacy arm where it speaks with legislators on a local, regional, state, and even national level. Emporia businesses can shape federal politics by giving the Chamber a voice.    

There Are Individual Business Benefits of Joining

Along with the large-scale benefits of investing in the Chamber, businesses can also grow through the connections they make at Chamber events. Various luncheons and networking events throughout the year support business owners with different scheduling needs.

“Having good solid relationships in the community builds relationships for the business,” says McKenna. “We have a lot of entrepreneurs and young professionals who I’ve watched grow through their Chamber membership.”

Not only can entrepreneurs grow their customer bases through membership, but they can also find vendors and suppliers to support their efforts. McKenna encourages new businesses to join early on to take advantage of as many resources as possible.  

Additionally, the Chamber has a contract to manage Visit Emporia to promote tourism growth and runs its Ignite Emporia initiative. Businesses can also participate in the Shop Emporia Gift Certificate program and accept Chamber gift cards in their stores. These certificates make great gifts for anyone who wants to support local businesses. 

The Chamber and RDA Work Closely to Support Emporia

The RDA is located in the same building as the Chamber and both offices work together throughout the year. When the RDA has a prospective business considering Emporia, the Chamber will help set up a community tour and gather relevant resources. Both parties share information with each other about challenges they hear in the community, like the need for housing or childcare.

This partnership has been particularly valuable in recent months with the closing of the Tyson Foods plant, which displaced 809 employees. Both the Chamber and the RDA have worked with groups like KANSASWORK Southeast, the United Way of the Flint Hills, and Emporia Spanish Speakers to pair workers with resources. The Chamber also created EmporiaOpportunity.com to help the displaced employees find jobs.

“It’s been great watching everyone come together,” says McKenna. “We were worried this would create an exodus in Emporia. But instead we’re seeing people who are committed to staying in the community. We’re going to be stronger because of this.”

The Chamber and RDA have also worked with private companies to boost hiring efforts. McKenna says they have stepped up in a major way to hire these workers and see what skills transfer from one company to another. 

See Why People Choose to Stay in Emporia

Emporia is a growing community. Tyson’s displaced workers want to stay here, and more people move to Lyon County each year. McKenna often speaks with people who visited during Unbound Gravel or attended a disc golf tournament and decided to move here afterward.

See why individuals choose Emporia and how the Chamber and RDA help companies thrive here. Your business has a place in Lyon County and we can help you get the resources you need to succeed. Learn more about moving your company to Emporia today.