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Well, we've turned another page on the calendar and school has begun. It hard to believe summer vacations are over and we are looking at the second half of 2014. But that doesn't mean the Chamber is slumbering. In fact, it's quite the opposite as you'll see below. There's plenty coming up in the next few weeks.
In case you missed it, Koide Tennessee Inc., announced on Friday that it was expanding its operations by building a 76,000 square-foot facility in Stock Creek and making a capital investment $10.1 million while adding 32 jobs to the Blount County economy.
 Additionally, the 13th annual Taste of Blount is set for Thursday, Sept. 11 at Theater in the Park in Maryville (next to the Blount County Courthouse). If you are interested in sponsoring or participating in the event, please email Kayla. There's already some great food vendors lined up and only a few spots remain.
THE BEST OF BLOUNT
Nominations are now being taken for Best of Blount (formerly Business Excellence Awards). The five categories include small and large business of the year, philanthropist of the year, community impact award and bright future award. So please nominate any person or business you believe has had an impact on Blount County over the past year.
Be sure to save the date of Nov. 6 at the Clayton Center for the Arts.
ELECTION DAY IS THURSDAY, AUG. 7
 Get out and vote on Thursday, Aug. 7 in the State primary and county general elections. Here's where you can find voting locations and sample ballots. Please take a time to research the candidates (even write-ins) and cast your vote.
VACATION RACES
 Do you like distance run? If so, you'll want to take part in the Vacation Races half marathon set for Sept. 20. The course runs from Heritage High School in the Hubbard Community outside Maryville and ends in Townsend. Find out more information at greatsmokymountainshalfmarathon.com and check out the promo video.
BUT FIRST LET ME TAKE A #SELFIE
Now's your opportunity to be featured during the 2015 Blount Partnership Annual Meeting set for Jan. 30 at the Airport Hilton. We want your selfies. Any selfie of you, taken any time and any place.
How it Works: Be a part of our selfie collage by following these 3 easy steps: 1. Take a selfie 2. Tag #BPAM2015 3. Post your pic to Twitter, Instagram, Facebook or email. Don't forget to use the #BPAM2015 tag on ALL your selfies and look for them at the Annual Meeting!
GOT AN EVENT? 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
I'm taking you back to this week in 1981 with a song that still gets plenty of air play today. It's "Jessie's Girl" by Rick Springfield. Upon its release, the song became an instant hit, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for two weeks and later won Springfield a Grammy Award for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance. It was his only No. 1 hit. And for those us old enough to remember, MTV made its debut on Aug. 1, 1981.
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