Find out about area businesses

Ottawa Main Street Association

Since 2000, Ottawa has been a Kansas Main Street city.

Main Street, originally developed by the National Historic Trust, is designed to revitalize communities by making improvements in downtown districts.

One such addition to the downtown area was two new pieces of public art in the Franklin County Courthouse lawn, Third and Main streets, two chainsaw-rendered statues of architect George Washburn and Ottawa University founder Tauy Jones.

Main Street has also snagged state Innovations Without Walls grants for business building improvements, which has spurred several downtown businesses to make aesthetic improvements to their businesses.

Ottawa Area Chamber of Commerce

How many doctors are practicing in Ottawa?

What is Ottawa's population?

When anyone wants to know the answer to these and a myriad of other questions, the first place they usually call is the Ottawa Area Chamber of Commerce.

The chamber specializes in providing demographic information about the area, encouraging economic development and serving as an advocate for local business sponsoring events such as Legislative coffees and "Shop Ottawa First" camaigns.

Through such events, the chamber serves as a one-stop segue for becoming part of the community, chamber leaders say.

The chamber has served the Ottawa area more than 80 years. It currently maintains a membership of more than 300 businesses and individuals benefiting from chamber services.

For information on joining the chamber, contact the Chamber Team at (785) 242-1000.

Wellsville Chamber of Commerce

When it comes to bringing all elements of the community together, the Wellsville Chamber of Commerce has its eye not just on local commerce, but the residents and their lives within the community.

The chamber, with about 53 members, elects a president every year.

For more information on the Wellsville Chamber of Commerce, call (785) 883-2296.

Business in Ottawa

Shopping and dining take place in two very distinct parts of Franklin County's largest city.

The downtown district of Ottawa, generally considered to be the stretch of Main Street between First and Seventh streets, features a variety of local stores dealing in everything from antiques to motorcycle accessories, as well as several restaurants and cafes offering everything from authentic Mexican food to gourmet coffees.

But while downtown features a high concentration of locally owned businesses, the southern portion of town on Main Street between 20th Street and the I-35 interchange features a variety of franchise businesses.

Grocery stores, fast food and department stores are in abundance near the interstate, offering travelers as well as Ottawa residents goods such as car parts, farm supplies or a quick bite to eat.