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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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
The Medical Device industry stands at the forefront of innovation, catalyzing groundbreaking advancements that redefine how and where people access everyday medical care. The industry is experiencing an unprecedented surge of excitement and transformative developments. From state-of-the-art diagnostic tools to revolutionary therapeutic devices, the Medical Device sector is not only...
TOPEKA — To commemorate Kansas Day, Kansas Tourism has released a new video inviting audiences to reclaim their vacation in Kansas. The video kicks off Kansas Tourism’s 2024 marketing campaign that focuses on the true meaning of a vacation and how Kansas is the perfect vacation destination.To watch the video,...
More than $30,000 was raised for Emporia Main Street projects and programming Saturday as the community clamored to support the annual auction fundraiser at the Granada Theatre.Main Street director Casey Woods said he was more than pleased with the turnout for the auction, which featured a number of great items...
Longtime City of Emporia Special Projects Coordinator Jim Witt is jumping into a somewhat unexpected opportunity with the Regional Development Association of East Central Kansas.Witt was named interim-director of the RDA on Jan. 19, after the board of directors accepted the resignation of Chuck Scott. The opportunity took Witt by...
Renowned for its cutting-edge advancements in veterinary medicine, biotechnology, and animal health research, Emporia is where half the worldwide animal health diagnostics and pet food is made.The Animal Health Corridor is Key to Global Food SecurityThis corridor in the Emporia region is home to numerous biotech companies, research facilities, and...
“Industries Are Growing Within the Emporia Region. Our competitive advantages are unmistakable.” says Emporia Regional Development Association President, Chuck Scott.A Strategic Hub Serving Metropolitan AreasLocation isn’t all Emporia has to offer. With 300 acres of shovel-ready sites, permits can be issued in weeks, and Flint Hills Technical College and Emporia...
There are several industrial parks with robust and ready infrastructure in the Emporia region. Permits can be issued in less than 60 days and financial incentives are available.Businesses of all Types and Sizes Have Room to Grow in EmporiaEmporia is a safe, affordable, friendly community located at the midway point...
Six businesses received funding from Network Kansas and partners during December.E-Community Loans –~Hill Athletics, LLC dba Freedom Fitness in Fort Scott. Partner: Fort Scott Area Chamber of CommerceE-Community and GROWKS – ~Convallis Terra, LLC in Lawrence. Partner: Lawrence Chamber of CommerceEmpower –Liberal – ~Tortilleria Tapacolmes in Liberal. Partner: Seward Co Development Corp.GROWKSLoan...