Category: Business

Cotton Patch Ready to Open in Athens

cotton patch2Press release

Cotton Patch Cafe, a Southern-inspired restaurant company, will open its new Athens restaurant on January 1, 2015. The new Ennis restaurant will open on January 6, 2015. Both restaurants will have a full bar, high ceilings and will seat 150 guests.

“The building design for the Athens and Ennis restaurants is a brand new look for Cotton Patch Cafe and we’re excited to see it come to life,” said Angie Zandt, marketing manager of Cotton Patch Cafe, Inc. “Since we began construction, both towns have embraced our brand. We can’t wait to open and join the local communities.”

The Athens restaurant is located at 1413 State Highway 31, Athens, Texas 75751. It has been built with all the modern amenities needed, such as cold room doors, a proper kitchen and comfortable seating. The general manager will be Corey Harp, who has been with the company since 2010. The restaurant will serve free black-eyed peas and cabbage on opening day to welcome guests and celebrate the New Year. Continue reading “Cotton Patch Ready to Open in Athens”

AEDC Names Lisa Denton New President

LisaPress release

The directors of the Athens Economic Development Corporation (AEDC) have announced the position of CEO/President has been filled by Lisa Denton who presently serves as Assistant Director of the Kilgore Economic Development Corporation.

Denton will assume the Athens position Jan. 5, replacing Brian Malone who left in November to join the Pearland EDC.
In making the announcement, AEDC Board President Jess Laird said, “We are very excited to have Lisa join us at the AEDC. Lisa has extensive experience in business retention and recruitment, and will be an immediate asset to us.”

Denton joined the Kilgore EDC in 2004. As assistant director she has been responsible for employer retention and expansion, recruitment, marketing strategies and development of the $3.2 million annual budget. She has earned certifications in economic development from the University of Central Arkansas, the National Development Council and Business Retention Expansion International. She is a graduate of the Texas A&M University Basic Economic Development Course. Continue reading “AEDC Names Lisa Denton New President”

CCL Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors

directorsThe new Cedar Creek Lake Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors was announced Thursday at the final chamber luncheon of the year. Pictured, from left, are Tracy Mitchell/Tracy Mitchell Custom Homes, Tony Kalawe/Edward Jones, Jim Thompson/Solar Turbines, Bill Gallagher/PrimaData Inc., Jo Ann Hanstrom/President CCLACC, Ralph Fortner/Southside Bank, Marty Mullins/TexasAbility LLC, Robbye Grissom/BnR Pit Grill. (Not pictured are Derrick Hoelscher/Northeast Texas Insurance Group and Michele Sjerven/Statewide Surveying Services Kaufman.)

TVCC Teaming Up with AEDC, Chamber on Seminar Series

Ellsberry, MichaelBy Jayson Larson/TVCC Public Information

The Trinity Valley Community College Small Business Development Center and the Athens Economic Development Corporation are once again teaming up to offer training and resources aimed to put aspiring or existing business owners a step closer to success.

The SBDC and AEDC will offer a high-level “Going Into Business/Building A Winning Business” seminar over seven sessions beginning Tuesday, Jan. 20. The seminar will continue each Monday, concluding on March 2. Each seminar will be held from 5:30-7 p.m. This year, the Athens Chamber of Commerce has joined the effort as a co-sponsor.

The goal of the class – which will be limited to 18 participants – will be to generate a business plan to aid a local start-up or to draft a thorough proposal for expansion of an existing business. This will be a fast-paced program and will require contact with an SBDC business advisor regularly outside the class. Continue reading “TVCC Teaming Up with AEDC, Chamber on Seminar Series”