Oak Ridge Today

Tennessee Valley Corridor returns to Huntsville for 2017 Summit

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Tennessee Valley Corridor Logo

The Tennessee Valley Corridor, or TVC, will return to Huntsville, Alabama, to hold its yearly science and technology Summit from May 31 to June 1. The Summit, themed “Huntsville and the TVC: Smart. Innovative. Collaborative,” will be held at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center, or USSRC, and will be hosted by Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle and USSRC Chief Executive Officer Deborah Barnhart.

“The Tennessee Valley Corridor is home to some of the smartest minds on the planet and this annual summit draws the best and the brightest,” Mayor Battle said. “We look forward to an exciting and engaging exchange of ideas and opportunities.”

The Summit will convene more than 300 government, business, academic, and community leaders from the five-state region, which includes the 10 congressional districts in East and Middle Tennessee, North Alabama, Western North Carolina, Southwest Virginia, and Eastern Kentucky.

The Summit will focus on Huntsville’s and NASA’s role in the region, the innovative and entrepreneurial spirit throughout the TVC, and the federal missions in the region. Registration for the Summit is now available at TennValleyCorridor.org. [Read more…]

Estate, celebrity jewelry featured at Karen’s Jewelers on Friday, Saturday

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This estate jewelry will be among pieces featured at the Karen’s Jewelers Estate Jewelry Show and Sale on Friday, March 31, and Saturday, April 1. (Submitted photo)

This estate jewelry will be among pieces featured at the Karen’s Jewelers Estate Jewelry Show and Sale on Friday, March 31, and Saturday, April 1. (Submitted photo)

 

Estate jewelry that once belonged to Joan Rivers, Ringo Starr, Jerry Lee Lewis, Elizabeth Taylor, and Greta Garbo, among many others, will be featured at an Estate Jewelry Show and Sale on Friday and Saturday at Karen’s Jewelers in Oak Ridge.

The Estate Jewelry Show and Sale will be held from 2-7:30 p.m. Friday, March 31, and from 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. April 1. The show presents a $3 million collection of antique, vintage, and contemporary estate jewelry, a press release said. Rings, bracelets, earrings, brooches, pendants, and necklaces will be among hundreds of pieces on display, with prices starting at $500. A wide selection of colors of gems and karats of gold will be included.

Among the treasures will be jewelry that once belonged to the Beatles drummer Ringo Starr and his actress wife, Barbara Bach, who portrayed a Bond girl in the film “The Spy Who Loved Me,” the press release said. The jewelry was auctioned when the couple sold their home in England, with auction proceeds going to charity.

Also featured will be pieces of signed jewelry, vintage engagement rings, pearls, cameos, diamonds, gold, gems, platinum, and filigree designs gathered from estates around the world, according to Martha Hart of Karen’s Jewelers. [Read more…]

ORAU names business development manager for science education, assessment, workforce development

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Terry Payne

Terry Payne

Terry L. Payne, former senior research and development program manager for the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, has been named business development manager for ORAU’s programs related to science education, assessment, and workforce development.

In his new role, Payne will identify viable opportunities for gaining new business, formulate competitive strategies for growth, and develop networks and partnerships for ORAU. He will maintain and develop strategic relationships with federal agencies, state, and local government entities, government contractors, and private industry, a press release said.

“We are thrilled to have Terry join our team in this leadership role,” said ORAU President and Chief Executive Officer Andy Page. “His economic development experience will enhance our relationships with both our customers and our community partners. Plus, Terry’s extensive experience will help him identify new business opportunities for ORAU.” [Read more…]

Curious about 3D printed vehicles, including excavator? ORNL has posted photos

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Oak Ridge National Laboratory has helped produce the first fully functional excavator that uses parts made through additive manufacturing, or 3D printing. The excavator is pictured above on Feb. 27, 2017. (Photo courtesy of Oak Ridge National Laboratory, U.S. Dept. of Energy)

Oak Ridge National Laboratory has helped produce the first fully functional excavator that uses parts made through additive manufacturing, or 3D printing. The excavator is pictured above on Feb. 27, 2017. (Photo courtesy of Oak Ridge National Laboratory, U.S. Dept. of Energy)

 

Oak Ridge National Laboratory has helped produce the first fully functional excavator that uses parts made through additive manufacturing, or 3D printing.

The excavator, part of a working demonstration known as Project AME, was made in collaboration with ORNL partners in industry, government, and academia. The project helps showcase a range of industrial applications for 3D printing, ORNL said.

Additive manufacturing is the process used to build something one layer at a time. Rather than ink, 3D printers use polymers.

One of the most well-known examples is the Shelby Cobra car 3-D printed on a large-scale polymer printer at ORNL’s Manufacturing Demonstration Facility in Hardin Valley. President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden admired that vehicle—and joked about taking it for a spin—during a trip to East Tennessee in January 2015.

ORNL has been involved in other projects using 3D printing that have attracted attention, and the lab has posted photos of its 3D printed vehicles. You can see them here. [Read more…]

ORNL, HTS International Corporation to collaborate on manufacturing research

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Oak Ridge National Laboratory and HTS International are exploring collaborations in advanced manufacturing research such as conformal cooling. These specially placed coolant lines allow parts to cool faster, which increases productivity for molding and casting manufacturers. (Image by ORNL)

Oak Ridge National Laboratory and HTS International are exploring collaborations in advanced manufacturing research such as conformal cooling. These specially placed coolant lines allow parts to cool faster, which increases productivity for molding and casting manufacturers. (Image by ORNL)

 

HTS International Corporation and Oak Ridge National Laboratory have signed an agreement to explore potential collaborations in advanced manufacturing research.

The memorandum of understanding follows HTS’s recent decision to locate its headquarters and production operations in a Knox County business park adjacent to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Manufacturing Demonstration Facility at ORNL (in Hardin Valley). The lab’s expertise and unique facilities in materials science, metallurgy, and advanced manufacturing attracted the attention of HTS’s leadership during a 2015 visit to Tennessee.

“Our researchers push the boundaries of what’s possible with materials and advanced manufacturing techniques, and we value partners such as HTS,” said Thomas Zacharia, deputy for science and technology at ORNL. “Industrial partners help to ensure we’re tackling the right problems, and our results help them to improve production capabilities and American competitiveness.”

HTS supplies specialty products to the injection molding and die casting industries, using its proprietary metal fusion technology to produce large-scale steel production components with conformal cooling. These specially placed coolant lines allow parts to cool faster, which increases productivity for molding and casting manufacturers. [Read more…]

Health care employers invited to participate in Roane State job fair

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Employers are invited to participate in a March 29 job fair at Roane State Community College for students who are pursuing careers in health care and plan to graduate this year.

The fair is planned for Wednesday, March 29, from 12:30-3:30 p.m. at Roane State’s Oak Ridge campus at 701 Briarcliff Avenue. Setup begins at 11 a.m. in the Coffey-McNally building.

Employers are asked to register by March 24. There is no registration fee. To register, visit www.roanestate.edu/jobfair. Limited space is still available. [Read more…]

Regional symposium for community college leaders, educators

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The National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship, the nation’s leading organization focused on promoting entrepreneurship through community colleges, and the Appalachian Regional Commission will co-sponsor a regional symposium for community college leaders and educators in Appalachia who are interested in enhancing economic growth in their areas.

The summit, “Leveraging Assets in Your Local Community to Promote Economic Development,” will be held March 30-31 at Pellissippi State Community College in Knoxville.

The keynote speaker for the event is Randy Boyd, former Tennessee Commissioner of Economic and Community Development.

Chris Whaley, president of Roane State Community College, and Anthony Wise, president of Pellissippi State Community College, are among those scheduled to present at the symposium. [Read more…]

Seminar on how to do business with the government

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The Tennessee Small Business Development Center at Roane State Community College is offering a free seminar on how to do business with the government.

The seminar is from 9 a.m. to noon April 4 at the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce at 1400 Oak Ridge Turnpike.

To register, call (865) 483-2668 or send an email to jbangs@tsbdc.org.

Free seminar on government contracting, GSA schedule

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The Tennessee Small Business Development Center at Roane State Community College is offering a free seminar on how to get on the GSA Schedule to do business with the government.

The seminar is from 1-4 p.m. April 4 at the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce at 1400 Oak Ridge Turnpike.

To register, call (865) 483-2668 or send an email to jbangs@tsbdc.org.

Some JCPenney stores closing, but not Oak Ridge

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jcpenney-main-street-oak-ridge-oct-14-2016

The JCPenney in Oak Ridge is not among the 138 stores closing across the country, the company said Friday, March 17, 2017. (File photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Note: This story was last updated at 4:30 p.m.

The JCPenney in Oak Ridge is not among the 138 stores closing across the country, the company said.

Three Tennessee stores are closing. One is at Knoxville Center, another is at Greeneville Commons, and the third is at County Market Place in Union City.

JCPenney said the closures are “part of a continuing effort to advance sustainable growth and long-term profitability.”

Parker Hardy, president of the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce, said JCPenney is a “linchpin” store for the new Main Street Oak Ridge, the 58-acre project to redevelop the former Oak Ridge Mall.

“JCPenney has been a very important part of our retail mix—particularly for apparel—ever since Mr. Penney participated in the original grand opening,” Hardy said Friday. “Penney always has been a draw for Oak Ridgers and for customers who live outside the city but inside our broader retail trade area…The fact that Penney is staying with Oak Ridge while closing stores in nearby cities says something strong about their confidence in Main Street, their confidence in our market, and their confidence in our business climate.” [Read more…]

New Sears Hometown Store opens in Oak Ridge

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A Sears Hometown Store has opened in Oak Ridge. The store is at 142 Fairbanks Road, near the corner of Oak Ridge Turnpike and Florida Avenue. Pictured above in December 2016 are owner Leslie Agron, left; employee Dave Hetes, second from left; Bill Heavilin, right; and Lore Heavilin, second from right. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

A Sears Hometown Store has opened in Oak Ridge. The store is at 142 Fairbanks Road, near the corner of Oak Ridge Turnpike and Florida Avenue. Pictured above in December 2016 are owner Leslie Agron, left; employee Dave Hetes, second from left; Bill Heavilin, right; and Lore Heavilin, second from right. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

A Sears Hometown Store has opened in Oak Ridge. The store is at 142 Fairbanks Road, near the corner of Oak Ridge Turnpike and Florida Avenue.

Sears Hometown Store will celebrate its grand opening on Friday, March 17, and Saturday, March 18. During the grand opening, customers can enjoy an additional discount of 10 percent off almost everything in the store* plus special giveaways, including a $10 gift card for the first 20 customers on Friday, March 17.

Unlike most retail concepts, Sears Hometown Stores combine the value, selection, and services associated with larger retail stores, but they are owned and operated by a member of the local community, a press release said.

“As a native Oak Ridger, I am very happy to be bringing Sears back to Oak Ridge,” said Sears Hometown Store owner Leslie Agron. [Read more…]

Construction on Oak Ridge Airport could start late next year, early 2019

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Image via Billy Stair presentation at Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority General Aviation Committee meeting on Wednesday, March 15, 2017.

Image via Billy Stair presentation at Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority General Aviation Committee meeting on Wednesday, March 15, 2017.

 

Note: This story was last updated at 2 a.m.

There are additional steps and approvals required, but if all goes well, construction on the Oak Ridge Airport on the west end of town could start in late 2018 or early 2019, officials said Wednesday.

The airport could still cost an estimated $35 million to $40 million, officials said. It would be funded with a mix of federal funding, state aeronautical commission funding, and local funding from the Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority, or MKAA.

On Wednesday, the MKAA General Aviation Committee approved an airport layout plan during a meeting at McGhee Tyson Airport in Alcoa. The plan will now be sent to the Federal Aviation Administration for review and approval.

“It’s a very important step for us,” said Bill Marrison, president of the Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority. [Read more…]