ORNL Federal Credit Union launches small business cash mob campaign

ORNL Federal Credit Union recently announced it has launched a Small Business Counts cash mob campaign, and it was scheduled to start this month.

A cash mob is a group of people who assemble at a local business to make purchases as a gesture of support for that business as well as the overall community, a press release said. The credit union’s grassroots program, Small Business Counts, is designed to help local merchants in the 16 East Tennessee communities that it serves through the use of promotion, social networking, and even direct financial support.

“At ORNL Federal Credit Union, we believe that small business counts,” said Chris Johnson, ORNL FCU chief executive officer. “The concept of a cash mob is one that fits perfectly with our core value of community improvement. There are few better ways to build a community than through the support and advocacy of small business, and I hope this program will encourage people to share in our commitment to the well-being of these merchants and communities.”

The press release said the Small Business Counts cash mob campaign will include the promotion and support of two East Tennessee businesses each month beginning in July. The locations and meeting dates will be announced one week in advance of each event and have not yet been determined. The following guidelines will be used when selecting the local businesses to support as part of the program:

1. Business should be locally owned and independently operated.
2. Business should have products that cost less than $20.
3. Business owner(s) should give back to the community in some way.

The press release said ORNL FCU was recognized in 2012 by the Small Business Administration as the Tennessee Credit Union of the Year for its work with small businesses.

For more information, visit www.ORNLFCU.com. Details of each cash mob will be made available one week in advance of each event, the press release said.