In an effort to continue and strengthen its support of small businesses, Emporia Main Street has joined with Flint Hills Technical College and the Small Business Development Center at Emporia State University to provide a seven-week entrepreneur training program. Main Street is also offering a new zero-interest loan program.
The training program will begin in March and will provide business entrepreneurs with the business skills to start and grow their own business. Graduates of the “Starting a Business” course will be eligible to receive numerous benefits and financial opportunities to make starting a business more affordable and successful.
Emporia Main Street has long provided zero-interest loans to Main Street members, said Mary Helmer, Emporia Main Street executive director.
“Over $240,000 has been loaned through the Kansas Main Street Incentives Without Walls Program over the last 15 years,” Helmer said. “Now with the assistance of the Trusler Foundation, Emporia Main Street is proud to announce a new entrepreneur loan program, the Trusler Small Business Revolving Loan Program.”
The new program also will be a zero-interest loan program aimed at assisting entrepreneurs who want to open their own businesses. To qualify for those funds, applications must be approved by the Emporia Main Street board of directors. Graduates of the Starting a Business course will be eligible to apply for these funds.
“This is a great marriage of education and opportunity,” Helmer said.
For more information on the Starting a Business course or Emporia Main Street assistance programs, call Emporia Main Street at 340-6430.