Emporia State University recently matched a $375,000 investment from the Kansas Department of Commerce through the Forging Opportunities for Research, Growth, and Entrepreneurship (FORGE) program, bringing the total investment to $750,000. Emporia Main Street is partnering with ESU on the grant to boost innovation and foster new business opportunities in the area.

“It is ESU’s responsibility to help drive our regional economy, which is why we went after this grant. It’s an investment into our community. This money, both from the state and our university match, goes directly into our local economy and our businesses,” said Cory Falldine, ESU Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, in the press release by ESU.

Casey Woods, Executive Director at Emporia Main Street, highlighted the grant’s potential to drive economic growth. 

“By leveraging resources like Emporia State University, we can retain intellectual capital and create economic opportunities for graduates and alumni. Moreover, people seeking a better life should recognize that relying solely on external employers may not always provide the stability or income they need,” Woods said.

According to the release, the next steps for the grant include developing a cooperative approach to entrepreneurial growth by combining ESU and Emporia Main Street resources. This includes hiring dedicated staff to support regional growth, expanding the Fabrication Lab at Emporia Main Street, and providing opportunities for ESU and Flint Hills Technical College students, as well as local entrepreneurs, to emphasize future-focused jobs.

“A major challenge for small businesses is turning an idea into an actual product or service,” Woods noted. “We have many talented people capable of producing a range of offerings, but they often lack the know-how to move from concept to commercialization. The partnership between ESU and Emporia Main Street helps bridge this gap by connecting those with ideas to those with the skills to implement them.”

The collaboration will also enhance initiatives such as reverse pitch events, funding opportunities and expert mentorship. Woods emphasized the importance of “support trees” to connect entrepreneurs with faculty, staff and alumni experts for industry-specific guidance.

“While we anticipate strong potential in areas like cybersecurity or agricultural technology, our process is entrepreneur-driven. Given the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence and other technologies, we remain open to any entrepreneur willing to invest, collaborate and help move the region forward. Our primary focus is on for-profit concepts that can bolster regional prosperity.”

Woods emphasized that the FORGE program is not limited to specific industries, offering opportunities for anyone willing to invest in the region. 

“Our aim is to ensure that everyone who could benefit from these resources knows how to access them,” he said.

Woods also explained the initiative’s focus on businesses with scalable growth, expanding market potential, and higher-income job opportunities to retain talented graduates in the region. “Ultimately, our goal is to empower entrepreneurs who are ready to innovate, collaborate and create positive change in our communities,” he said.