THIS WEEK'S NEWSLETTER PRESENTED BY:
TN GENERAL ASSEMBLY UPDATE
Here's a update from the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce & Industry on bills moving through the state legislature important to the business community. Search legislation and track bills.

SB1402/HB1039. This legislation would change the unemployment payout system by indexing benefits. If the state's unemployment rate is at or below 5.5% then the duration of the benefits would last 12 weeks. An additional week is added each time the unemployment rate goes up .5% up to 20 weeks maximum. Status: Set for House Finance and Senate Commerce and Labor.

SB775/ HB1011. Implements Excise Tax deductions on SERG, Small Business Relief and other Tennessee COVID-19 relief programs. Status: Set for senate floor and house has passed with amendment 1.

SB608/ HB1011. This legislation adds 30 days to the current 6-month extension of time in which taxpayers can file a franchise and excise tax return. Status: Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee has deferred it to 4/13/21 and the House has passed with amendment 1.

SB1576/ HB401. This legislation allows for additional attorneys’ fees and costs to be awarded when an employer wrongfully denies a claim or fails to provide benefits that the employee or dependent is entitled to for injuries that occur between 7/1/21/ and 6/30/23. Status: Has passed in the Senate and the House and has been sent to the Governor.
JOIN IN AND PROMOTE THE JOB FAIRS
Consider sponsoring or participating in this virtual hiring event for entry-level positions on April 15.
An in-person hiring event is slated for April 27 at Foothills Mall. Consider sponsoring or participating.
PARKWAY NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT
The Tennessee Department of Transportation is hosting a virtual design public meeting from April 15-29 to gather public input on the proposed Pellissippi Parkway project from SR-33 to SR-73 (US-321). The proposed project consists of developing a new controlled-access four-lane highway with a concrete median barrier wall and grade-separated interchanges.


This meeting is being held to provide the public an opportunity to provide comments regarding the proposed project. Comments submitted through the project website will be addressed and become part of the official public transcript.

The Blount Chamber encourages its members to bookmark the website and make comments in support of the project.
TO THE MAX
Learn more about the Blount Chamber and the many opportunities that go along with being a member. Learn how to make the most of the benefits afforded to you by joining our webinar on April 22 at 10 a.m.

Register in advance for this meeting

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

R E M E M B E R !
Your membership is a corporate membership. Please encourage co-workers to get involved, educated, network and promote your company via Blount Chamber events and opportunities.
ARE YOU USING GOOGLE BUSINESS?
April 26 from 2-3 p.m.

Discover Google tools that can help business owners work and manage their business. Plus, get insights on more online and timely resources for small businesses. In this webinar, Grow with Google speaker Dave Delaney will discuss:
  • How to update critical business information online
  • Keep customers informed
  • Conduct virtual meetings
  • Access important files from anywhere
GET IN OUR NEW LIVABILITY MAGAZINE
SALES CLOSE APRIL 30.

The Blount Partnership is partnering with Livability Media this year to tell our story through the Livability Blount County, Tennessee print and digital marketing program. The purpose of this program is to showcase why our community is a great place to visit, live and work and to leverage the national reach of Livability.com. 

In conjunction with those efforts. Livability Media staff have begin advertising sales for the 2022 Livability program primarily through Zoom meetings. As a community stakeholder, we encourage you to participate in these meetings to learn more about the opportunities that can help your business and our community maintain its continued economic progress. This program – and our external marketing efforts – can only thrive with your support.  

Our Livability Media representative Collin Gatlin will be reaching out to you in the coming days. We also encourage you to reach out to Collin directly for more information at cgatlin@livmedia.com or 615-771-5576.
ARE PEOPLE A PAIN FOR YOU?
The people pain you experience at work is predictable and fixable; discover how being aligned with yourself/others/job can help you reduce people pain and improve results. 

Make plans to attend our next Success in 90 Seminar on Wednesday, May 5 at 8:30 a.m. the Blount Partnership (201 S. Washington St., Maryville). 
DISCOVER CONSUMER REALITIES
May 26 from 8:15-9:45 a.m.
Marketing Rebeiion: The Most Human Company Wins
Presented by Mark Schaefer

$30 for chamber members / $50 for non-members

Sponsored by Allevia Technology

This program will change the way companies and organizations look at marketing, sales, advertising, and overall customer experience.

In this session, attendees will learn:
  • How marketing, advertising, sales, customer engagement, and customer loyalty have changed forever
  • Two thirds of your marketing is occurring without you
  • Why this rebellion is redefining the business landscape
  • A more human-centered approach to marketing
  • How to build a brilliant business when your customers are in charge

Register before April 28 and receive a free copy of Mark's book Cumulative Advantage.
WE NEED HEALTHY BOUNDRIES
The April 30 edition of soft skills classes offered by the Blount County Public Library is quickly approaching.

This Zoom Webinar session is entitled "Healthy Boundaries for Success at Work." Boundaries help us increase productivity by protecting the quality of our work. Learn how to use boundaries to work smarter and create more effective and productive working relationships.

All participants will earn .5 CEUs per session for participating. They will also receive an email survey two months after workshop participation to assess application of new ideas.
NEED ASSISTANCE IN
HR, MARKETING OR ACCOUNTING?
Have you experienced supply chain disruptions, staffing challenges, a decrease in business or a business closure as a result specifically due to COVID-19

Through the CARES Act the TSBDC has received funding to hire industry professionals to provide consulting at no cost for our clients. If you need assistance in the areas of accounting, marketing and human resources contact our center!

Let our consultants help navigate the complexities of business ownership during a Pandemic.  


Additional advising services are offered in accounting, advertising, banking, employee relations, employee selection, finance, HR, IT, management, marketing, operations, public relations, sales training, sources of capital

With barriers brought on by COVID-19, we believe small businesses still need that human connection to help identify pools of opportunity. With the simple press of a button, you can find yourself meeting virtually with a consultant who wants to help you and your business succeed on every level.
WEBINAR CALENDAR
The Tennessee Small Business Development Center is hosting a myriad of online training webinars to assist you in all facets of your businesses. Take advantage of training opportunities with the SBDC at no cost.

April 13 from 10 a.m.-noon
 
April 13 from 2-3:30 p.m.
 
April 14 from 10 a.m.-noon
 
April 15 from 10 a.m.-noon
 
April 20 from 9-10 a.m.
 
April 20 from 10 a.m.-noon
 
April 21 from noon-1 p.m.
 
April 22 from 12:30-1:30 p.m.
 
April 27 from 9:30-10:30 a.m.
 
April 29 from 10-11 a.m.
April 22 from noon-1 p.m.
WHAT'S HAPPENING?
April 12-18
April 12-18 -- Heroes for Hope 5K
April 13 -- Tuesdays at Two
April 16 -- MAHBA Golf Tournament
April 17 -- Earth Day Recycling
April 17 -- Wild Trout Paradise

April 19-25
April 21-24 -- Bronco Truck Show

Save the Date
April 26 -- Grow with Google
May 17 -- Women in Business

BE SURE YOU'RE FOLLOWING US
If you aren't following us on social media, you must. We are constantly updating information as each day progresses. So, give us a like and stay up-to-date as we move through this crisis.
 
 
And follow tourism updates here:
Here's a great way to offer Member-to-Member deals using your chamber member account. Check the deals.

Members can post Coupons and Discounts to this page at no charge. Click Here
REMEMBER WHEN . . .
Topping the Billboard Hot 100 this week in 1988 was "Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car" by Billy Ocean. The song was featured on the soundtrack of the 1988 film License to Drive.
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