THIS WEEK'S NEWSLETTER PRESENTED BY: |
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BE PART OF SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY |
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The Blount Chamber wants to celebrate Small Business Saturday on November 28 with you! It's a special holiday created so communities can show love for small local businesses. And it wouldn't be a celebration without businesses like you joining us!
If your business wishes to participate, email alawson@blountpartnership.com. We are trying to get the word out about shopping locally at the beginning of the holiday season, by producing an ad in The Daily Times and doing social media posts the week leading up to Small Business Saturday.
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HELP CONNECT THOSE LOOKING FOR A JOB |
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If you know someone that is seeking a job or a business wishing to participate in the Blount Partnership's virtual Career Connection, visit this webpage for more information.
Attendees leave with a list of jobs and contacts on how to apply for those positions.
Companies, this is a great opportunity to showcase your company and job openings (both internships, part-time and full-time positions) to recent graduates, current students and career seekers. Each company will have 3-5 minutes to give an elevator pitch about their company and available jobs. We are limiting this event to a maximum of 17 companies.
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COFFEE CLUB IS BACK NEXT WEEK |
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The Blount Partnership staff will be wearing Halloween costumes and attendees are invite to wear one as well.
Coffees are designed to offer our members the opportunity to build business relationships with other members and to gain exposure for their business or organization in an "open house" setting.
Coffees are open to anyone associated with a Chamber member business. Participation is not reserved to the representative(s) listed on the Chamber membership.
We will follow the physical distancing guidelines set forth by the Tennessee Pledge. Attendees are strongly encouraged to wear a mask.
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GET PLACEMENT IN BASICALLY BLOUNT |
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The 2021 Basically Blount lifestyle magazine and membership directory is entering production once again. This annual, full-color lifestyle magazine and chamber membership directory is initially distributed to all Chamber members starting Feb. 2021, along with distribution four times throughout the year via area professional offices, newcomers, visitors, and new businesses all looking to relocate to Blount County.
If you would like to learn more about the benefits of Basically Blount, the importance of supporting the Chamber, and how to get your business involved, contact:
Rick Ford of Marcon Marketing at 865-705-8580
We are pleased to offer a variety of advertising opportunities at cost effective rates through our media kit.
As we begin to publish, please make sure we have your latest information (i.e. contact name, address, phone, email, web address). To see what is listed, please go here.
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YOU HAD SOME HELP. BE A MENTOR. |
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tnAchieves needs more than 3,800 volunteers to serve as mentors for the Class of 2021! tnAchieves mentors serve their community virtually, working with local students to support them during the college-going process.
tnAchieves mentors spend about one hour per month helping students reach their goals. In 2021, mentors will serve their students via tnAchieves CONNECT. tnAchieves CONNECT is a new virtual mentoring tool that allows mentors to remain connected to their students in a safe, online environment. It will also allow mentors to serve from their home and on their own schedule!
Mentors remind students of important deadlines, serve as a trusted college resource and, most importantly, encourage students to reach their full potential. While the time commitment is small, the impact can be life-changing. To learn more and apply you can visit www.tnachieves.org/mentors/apply or contact Tyler Ford at tyler@tnachieves.org or (309) 945-3446.
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Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced an initial $50 million in federal Coronavirus Relief Funds for the new Supplemental Employer Recovery Grant (SERG) program to provide additional relief to small businesses suffering during the COVID-19 pandemic. This new wave of funding includes specific support for minority-owned, women-owned and veteran-owned businesses, as well as businesses owned by disabled persons.
Small business owners and non-profit organizations can apply to receive reimbursement for eligible direct expenses or costs incurred as a result of business interruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The program’s application window remains open until December 29, 2020, or until all funds are depleted.
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SUPERVISORS NEED THIS INFO |
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Register in advance for this meeting:
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
ADDRESSING RACE RELATIONS
Given recent events, including the George Floyd scenario, it is imperative that employers thoughtfully and directly address workplace related racial issues. This session will identify the most relevant issues HR professionals should consider when attempting to discuss and address such racial issues. This session will also explore strategies and best practices to be employed when dealing with race-related workplace issues.
Presented by Fred Bissinger
OSHA, leave laws, work from home and Fair Labor Standards Act
The pandemic has resulted in myriad employment law concerns for employers keeping their business running. Learn about several such legal considerations including OSHA, leave laws new and old, work from home issues, and how the Fair Labor Standards Act is implicated in multiple scenarios.
Presented by Howard Jackson
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NEED ASSISTANCE IN
HR, MARKETING OR ACCOUNTING?
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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.
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.
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CREATE A HEALTHY WORKPLACE |
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The October 30 edition of soft skills classes offered by the Blount County Public Library is quickly approaching.
This Zoom Webinar session is entitled "Building a Trauma-Informed Workplace." How can you use the guiding principles of Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) to create a psychologically healthy workplace that prioritizes employee wellness? Learn practical approaches to creating an environment that champions care, safety, and respect.
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.
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Get the Facts on PPP and EIDL
Hear from SBA every Monday and Friday at noon ET until December 21. Find out what is a myth and what is a truth on SBA loans for small businesses. REGISTER HERE
October 20 from 9-10:30 a.m.
October 20 at 10 a.m.
October 21 at 10 a.m.
October 22 at 2 p.m.
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Pellissippi State Community College is hosting "The Art, Science & Impact of Digital Storytelling" on Oct. 21 from 12:30-2 p.m.
This webinar will bring together thought leaders in digital production, creative services and brand storytelling, to discuss industry trends and workforce opportunities.
Session 1 will focus on the essence and purpose of strategic communications and digital engagement and will explore questions such as:
- How much is the medium still (or even more so) the message in the digital age?
- How should strategies and tactics change as digital innovation accelerates and saturates?
- Is understanding your audience more important as you aim to earn trust for your business, sell products/services to customers or persuade people to your cause - and how can authentic connections be achieved during the disruption of the COVID-19 Age?
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Diversity & Inclusion Discussion
Diversity and Inclusion is crucial to future workforce development and this event will offer your business or organization an opportunity to implement real measures that produce results.
This major virtual event headlines a number of major Tennessee companies and their D&I initiatives and will explore how businesses and organizations of all sizes can establish and improve their programs to ensure they create a welcoming climate for both existing and prospective employees that welcomes diversity.
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CLAYTON-BRADLEY ACCEPTING APPS |
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Clayton-Bradley Academy is now accepting Pre-K through 10th grade applications for the 2021-2022 school year!
CBA is an independent, Pre-K through 12th grade STEM school in Maryville.
Visit their website to apply or learn more.
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October 19-25
October 26-November 1
Save the Date
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As businesses reopen across the state, Tennessee’s Economic Recovery Group released guidance for businesses. The Tennessee Pledge guidelines recommend capacity limits, spacing requirements, and frequent sanitization, among others.
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COVID-19 CASES IN BLOUNT COUNTY |
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The City of Maryville publishes a daily web page that breaks down all the COVID-19 cases in Blount County.
Bookmark it to make sure you know the facts.
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BE SURE YOU'RE FOLLOWING US |
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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:
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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
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Topping the Billboard Hot 100 this week in 1976 was "If You Leave Me Now," by Chicago. It stayed there for two weeks, making it the first number one hit for the group.
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