Emporia Businesses May Qualify for Grants & Incentives

Businesses growing in the Emporia region, whether a new or existing business, may qualify for grants and incentives. Some of these programs are offered at the local level, while others are offered by the state or federal government. In each case, the RDA can help to identify which incentives a company qualifies for and facilitate the application process. We understand that applying for incentives can feel overwhelming so we do what we can to make the process easier.

For example, when Hostess was being purchased, the RDA worked with our partners at the Kansas City with the Department of Commerce to put an incentive package together that included state and local funds. “Based in part on those incentives, within a month of that meeting, we agreed that Emporia would be a flagship bakery for Hostess,” said Executive Vice President, Michael Cramer.

Hill’s Pet Nutrition also received incentives, something that enabled them to build a 300,000 square-foot plant in Emporia. “This was a rigorous, year-long process, and we greatly appreciate the assistance we received from state and local officials,” said Justin Skala, President.

Types of Incentives

The City of Emporia, and Lyon County have a long history of granting local performance-based incentives to qualified businesses. Qualifying businesses are manufacturers, warehouses, research & development, and the storing of goods traded in interstate commerce. The types of incentives, which may be available on building construction, and real property are real property tax abatements, community development block grant loans, discounted land, infrastructure improvements, and industrial revenue bonds.