Emporia Main Street names Oney director
Assistant will succeed Mary Helmer
By Scott Rochat
Friday, February 23, 2007
Kayla Oney will be the new director of Emporia Main Street.
Board president Michael Black announced the decision this morning. Oney has worked for the downtown development organization since May 2006, first as an assistant to the previous director, Mary Helmer, and then as interim director.
Oney originally got into economic development as a high school senior, when she started working for the Wabaunsee County economic development coordinator. She was also a student assistant in the Emporia State University career services office before coming to Emporia Main Street.
Black said Oney’s experience with Main Street helped, as did her experience in writing grants.
"She has already successfullly written grants for another agency," Black said. "That separated her from the rest for me."
Oney was one of three candidates for the job.
Helmer directed Emporia Main Street from 1997 until this year. She is now the assistant state coordinator for Kansas Main Street.