Oak Ridge Today

‘Cash mob’ at Cutie Patootie’s on Thursday

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Cutie Patootie's Repeat Boutique

Cutie Patootie’s Repeat Boutique

 

ORNL Federal Credit Union will have its next cash mob at Cutie Patootie’s Repeat Boutique in historic Jackson Square in Oak Ridge on Thursday.

The cash mob is scheduled from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday. The first 30 customers will receive a $20 gift card to use within the store, courtesy of ORNL Federal Credit Union, a press release said. There is a limit of one gift card per family or couple.

Cutie Patootie’s Repeat Boutique is at 209 Jackson Square.

“Founded by owner and single mom, Wendy Holloway, Cutie Patootie’s Repeat Boutique in Oak Ridge is the epitome of small business with its local feel, loyal customers, and personalized service,” the press release said. “The resale boutique has been serving the Oak Ridge community for several years by offering new and gently used items for babies, children, teens and women, including toys, handmade hair bows and accessories, jewelry, shoes, clothing, and more. [Read more…]

TSBDC honors Oak Ridge Today with Rising Star Award

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Oak Ridge Today Rising Star Award

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.” [Read more…]

Free small business start-up seminar on Feb. 28

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A free Feb. 28 workshop will give small business owners and entrepreneurs a better understanding of how to start a new business.

The workshop is from 11:30 a.m.– 1:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 28, at the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce at 1400 Oak Ridge Turnpike. The workshop is offered by the Tennessee Small Business Development Center.

Registration is required. To see more details, and to register, please visit www.roanestate.edu/tsbdc. For questions, contact Jutta Bangs at (865) 483-2668 or jbangs@tsbdc.org.

Oak Ridge Observer closes after nine-year run

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Oak Ridge Observer

The Oak Ridge Observer, a weekly newspaper housed on the third floor of this building at Oak Ridge Turnpike and New York Avenue, has closed.

Stan R. Mitchell, editor and publisher of the Oak Ridge Observer, announced Wednesday that the weekly newspaper will close after more than nine years in business.

In a note posted on the Observer’s website, Mitchell did not elaborate on the reason for the closure.

“We could just never get the paper where it needed to be,” he said.

“I”m going to avoid getting into all the gritty details and talking about unforeseen circumstances, but it is what it is,” Mitchell wrote on his blog. “The bottom line is this: We couldn’t keep it going any longer, and yet thankfully those circumstances coincided with the serious doubts we’ve had the past year and a half.” [Read more…]

Free small business start-up seminar in January

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Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce

The Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce will lay off some employees, and its support corporation, the Oak Ridge Economic Partnership, will become dormant.

A free workshop at the end of January will focus on how to start up a small business.

It’s scheduled from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 30, at the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce.

The workshop is offered by the Tennessee Small Business Development Center. Registration is required.

The Tennessee Small Business Development Center advises and assists entrepreneurs and small business owners at no cost to them. [Read more…]

Free small business workshop to focus on doing business with the government

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Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce

A free workshop at the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce in mid-January will focus on how to do business with the government.

A free workshop in mid-January will focus on how to do business with the government.

It’s scheduled from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 15, at the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce.

The workshop is offered by the Tennessee Small Business Development Center. Registration is required.

The Tennessee Small Business Development Center advises and assists entrepreneurs and small business owners at no cost to them. [Read more…]

Small business cash mob at Hot Bagel at lunchtime Thursday

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Hot Bagel

An Oak Ridge-based credit union is having its next small business cash mob at Hot Bagel Co. at lunchtime Thursday.

An Oak Ridge-based credit union is having its next small business cash mob at Hot Bagel Co. at lunchtime Thursday.

The cash mob is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday. The first 30 people there will receive a free $20 gift card courtesy of ORNL Federal Credit Union. There is a limit of one per family or couple. Other special offers will also be available.

It’s the credit union’s Small Business Counts Cash Mob, which started in late July, and the first one at lunch.

Hot Bagel Co. was selected thanks to multiple nominations led by ORNL Federal Credit Union member Mark Medley, a press release said. Hot Bagel is located at 1155 Oak Ridge Turnpike in the Manhattan Place shopping center. [Read more…]

ORAU named a Best Diversity Company by readers of Diversity/Careers magazine

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Oak Ridge Associated Universities Building MC-100

Oak Ridge Associated Universities has been named a Best Diversity Company for 2013 by the readers of Diversity/Careers magazine. (Photo courtesy ORAU)

Organization receives the honor for four consecutive years

Oak Ridge Associated Universities has been named a Best Diversity Company for 2013 by the readers of Diversity/Careers magazine. ORAU was one of only four organizations to be ranked as a diversity leader in the “research” category and one of 94 organizations to be ranked highest overall.

“Over the years, ORAU has evolved from an organization of people who accept diversity into one that embraces it,” said ORAU President and Chief Executive Officer Andy Page. “Not only have we embraced a culture of diversity in the workplace, but we have extended that commitment into all facets of our business operations including significant minority and female participation in our science education programs, targeted small business subcontracting partnerships, and community-based outreach.” [Read more…]

DOE asks for more information on $2 million CROET grant

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The U.S. Department of Energy has requested additional information as it tries to close out a $2 million grant awarded 16 years ago to a nonprofit organization that owns, develops, and manages former DOE property.

The grant was issued in 1997 as part of a larger grant that the Community Reuse Organization of East Tennessee requested from DOE, said Lawrence Young, CROET president and chief executive officer. Most of the money was used for a high-risk loan program for small businesses. The purpose was to create jobs and promote economic development in East Tennessee, said Mike Koentop, spokesman for the DOE Oak Ridge Office. [Read more…]

ORNL recognizes small business subcontractors and supporters

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Oak Ridge National Laboratory honored seven small businesses and their supporters at its annual small business awards ceremony on March 22. The winning firms were nominated by ORNL staff in recognition of the companies’ exceptional service during the 2012 fiscal year.

Rep. Chuck Fleischmann and John Hale, deputy director of DOE’s Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization in the Office of Economic Impact and Diversity, were guest speakers at the breakfast event. [Read more…]

Seminar for small, disadvantaged businesses

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A Wednesday program will help entrepreneurs understand certifications for small and disadvantaged businesses.

It’s presented by the Tennessee Small Business Development Center and University of Tennessee Center for Industrial Services. It’s scheduled from 1:30-3:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce.

[Read more…]

Roane Chamber and SBDC announce business entrepreneur workshops

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The Roane County Chamber of Commerce and the Tennessee Small Business Development Center at Roane State Community College have joined together to offer three free workshops for entrepreneurs who are considering or have recently started their own business.

The two-hour workshops are scheduled for March 7, March 21, and April 11, from 1-3 p.m. at The Roane Alliance.

[Read more…]