Jutta Bangs, director of the local Tennessee Small Business Development Center, presents a 2013 Rising Star Award to John Huotari, co-owner and co-publisher of Oak Ridge Today.
The Tennessee Small Business Development Center at Roane State Community College has awarded the 2013 Rising Star Award to Dawn and John Huotari of Oak Ridge Today.
Each year, the Rising Star Award is given by the TSBDC network to a small business client in each of the regions served. The awards recognize the perseverance and successes of the businesses, a press release said.
Local TSBDC Director Jutta Bangs helped Dawn and John Huotari with the start-up and marketing of their online news outlet.
“We would like to thank the TSBDC and Jutta for their help and guidance in getting Oak Ridge Today started,†said John Huotari, co-owner and co-publisher of the local news website. “Their assistance was invaluable, particularly in the start-up phase. Jutta has continued to provide important advice on issues ranging from marketing to website content to hiring employees.â€
In 2013, the TSBDC at Roane State Community College worked with 122 small businesses, offering free and inexpensive training, and confidential counseling. More than 650 people took advantage of the training opportunities.
For more information and a list of classes, contact Bangs at [email protected] or call 
(865) 483-2668.
Cindy McCullough says
John Huotari, you really do a great job with this online news website. Thank you.
johnhuotari says
Thank you, Cindy. We appreciate your support.
Charlie Jernigan says
Well deserved, John!
johnhuotari says
Thank you, Charlie. We also appreciate your support.
Myra Mansfield says
Congratulations! Your unique work in our community is greatly appreciated.
johnhuotari says
Thank you, Myra, and we appreciate your contributions.
Patricia Fain says
congratulations, John and Dawn. well deserved. you have developed an excellent model for news dissemination and it is so well done. your writing and coverage of the news is always up to the highest standards of good reporting. Pat Fain
johnhuotari says
Thank you, Pat. For me, one of the most exciting aspects of this is joining other entrepreneurs in other cities across the country to help work on new business models for local news. (You can learn more about our organization, called LION, here: http://www.lionpublishers.com. We had our first conference in Chicago in October.) We are optimistic about the future of local news.
Philip W Nipper says
Bravo Zulu! You provide an outstanding service to the community. Glad you are a part of it.
Anne Garcia Garland says
Dawn and John,
Congratulations. Well deserved. Yours is a sincere journalistic endeavor and we are so lucky to have you here.
ca3b says
Congratulations!!
Ellen Smith says
Congratulations all around. Congratulations to John and Dawn for receiving a well-deserved award and congratulations to the Tennessee Small Business Development Center for recognizing that Oak Ridge Today is a deserving recipient.
Kelly Callison says
Congratulations John!
johnhuotari says
Thank you also to Philip, Anne, Ellen, and Kelly. We appreciate your support.