Check out the panoramic view of the Blount Partnership office created by 90x4. What a great way to help customers experience you ambiance and decor. It gives the ability to take them inside your business as if they were actually there.

 

Please note that the Blount County local briefing scheduled for this Friday, July 24 at 8 a.m. will now be held at the Blount Partnership office. Please make every effort to attend this session as Mayor Ed Mitchell will be speaking on the priorities, budget and vision for the future of the community.

 

SBA OFFERS A PAIR OF ONE-HOUR SEMINARS FOR SMALL BUSINESSES

The Small Business Administration is coming to the Chamber on Thursday, July 30 to present two one-hour programs on " Financing Your Business the SBA Way" from 9-10 a.m. and " Understanding the Affordable Care Act" from 11 a.m.-noon.

 

Financing Your Business the SBA Way covers SBA loan options including which loan program meets a specific entrepreneurial need. The session begins with the 5 C's of credit including character, cash flow, collateral, capitalization and conditions. It then transitions to an overview of SBA's actual loan programs. Lastly, specific information will be shared about interest rates and repayment terms plus our participating lenders. Whether you are an existing entrepreneur or have given thought to starting a business, this seminar will put you ahead of the game in government guaranteed lending.

 

Certain parts of the Affordable Care Cat (ACA) are in effect. As a business owner, you will want to know how this healthcare policy impacts your business. If you are confused about the changes, costs, or your role, you should attend this workshop directed at explaining the business provisions of Health Care Reform and the Affordable Care Act.

 

RSVP to Jacqueline Merritt of the SBA if you wish to attend either or both programs. There is no fee to attend.

 

CHAMBER BENEFIT OF THE WEEK

Are you needing some good shipping rates? If so, check out Group Transportation Services (GTS). It's a one-stop source for all your transportation needs over 150 pounds. The modes they manage include less-than-truckload, truckload, air, international, parcel and expedite. Their extensive carrier network gives them the bargaining power to provide custom, cost-efficient transportation solutions. They only contract with the most reliable and financially stable carriers. Blount Partnership Members save an average of 10-35% on shipping annually. For additional information contact Craig Estep at 800-689-6255 x209. Check out this and other Chamber member benefits.

 

SOOOIE! PIGS AND POLITICS RETURNS IN AUGUST

The fourth annual Pigs & Politics Legislative Day returns to the Clayton Center for the Arts courtyard on the Maryville College campus Thursday, August 13 from 4:30-7:30 p.m.

 

This is a great opportunity for the public to visit with candidates and elected officials as they mingle in a summer pig roast setting with the community. There are no speeches; just a lot of Calhoun's BBQ, beer provided by Smoky Mountain Brewery and a live performance by the Jeff Jopling Band.

 

Elected officials will once again be serving BBQ while collecting "tips" for their respective non-profit organizations.

 

Tickets, which are $25 (public), $20 (Chamber) and $10 (kids), are available by calling 865.983.2241 or ONLINE.

 

LACE UP THOSE SHOES FOR THE GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS HALF MARATHON

Following a successful run last year, the Great Smoky Mountains Half Marathon presented by Vacation Races returns to the Townsend area Sept. 12 at 7:30 a.m. Register online.

 

The course is a beautiful run through the woods just outside Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The course begins near Heritage High School in the Hubbard Community outside Maryville and ends in Townsend, just under a mile from the National Park boundary. The finish line is at the lot next to the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center in Townsend with beautiful views of the mountains.

 

BE SURE YOUR BUSINESS IS PARTICIPATING IN SAVE LOCAL NOW

As a chamber member, consumers are more likely to choose your business over a competing, non-member business. At the most basic level, membership brings credibility to your business and increases your overall presence in the community.

 

By being a member of our chamber you have exclusive access to Save Local Now, a FREE member marketing platform built to maximize your online exposure (and increase sales!). The SLN platform allows you to enhance your digital footprint, create content, and share that content where it really matters: online, on social, and through email marketing.

 

If you haven't signed into your SLN account to enhance your listing, we encourage you to do so. SLN is constantly boosting SEO efforts for every member profile.

 

FREE BUSINESS OPERATION WORKSHOPS

The Blount County Chamber of Commerce and the Blount County Library have partnered with the Tennessee Small Business Development Center to present free business operation workshops on Google, social media, business marketing and planning, starting a business and government contracting for small business owners and entrepreneurs.

 

Workshops are held at the Blount County Chamber, 201 S. Washington St., Maryville, TN, and at the Blount County Library, 508 North Cusick Street, Maryville, TN. Participants are free to bring their own lunch.

 

For more information or to attend any of the following workshops, participants are asked to register by clicking on the Training tab at www.tsbdc.org.

 

Location	Date	Seminar Topic	Time
Library	Aug. 6	Growth Wheel - Business Processes	11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Register Here
Chamber	Aug. 20	Google-ize Your Business	11:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Register Here
Library	Sept. 10	Growth Wheel - Choosing Employees	11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Chamber	Sept. 24	Starting a Business	9 a.m.-Noon Register Here
Chamber	Oct. 8	Social Media	11:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Library	Oct. 22	Growth Wheel - Ownership & Management	11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Chamber	Nov. 12	Business Planning	9 a.m.-Noon

 

GOT AN EVENT OR NEWS? WE'D LOVE TO HEAR ABOUT

Is your organization hosting an event in the community? Submit it here on our community calendar. If it's a tourism event, please email Ashlee so she can post it on www.SmokyMountains.org.

 

Also, please send us any news releases or good news about your business. We'd love to share it with the community.

 

REMEMBER WHEN

"Invisible Touch," Genesis' most successful song and their first and only No. 1 single in the United States, topped the Billboard Music Chart this week in 1986.

Genesis - Invisible Touch