THIS WEEK'S NEWSLETTER PRESENTED BY: |
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TODAY WE WELCOME CULVER'S |
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Join us for a ribbon cutting and grand opening ceremony for Culver's on March 29 at 9:30 a.m. Located at 270 Hamilton Crossing Dr. in Alcoa, the drive-thru/dine-in butter burger restaurant is one of only a handful in Tennessee.
The Culver’s chain was started in Wisconsin and is a fast-food staple in the Midwest, where the name is synonymous with its signature butter burgers and frozen custard.
Between Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana and Michigan alone, there currently are 378 restaurants.
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TN GENERAL ASSEMBLY UPDATE |
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Major Business Data / Privacy Legislation HB1467 / SB1554 was revealed as a draft amendment that would establish significant privacy and data regulations impacting a significant number of companies, not just large. The draft legislation seems to be modeled after the well-known California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA) that the California Department of Finance estimated cost businesses over $50 billion in additional compliance costs. Perhaps most concerning, the draft legislation includes a private right of action that would substantially increase litigation costs for all businesses, which no other state has seriously considered. The TN Chamber has learned the legislation is scheduled both on the House Banking and Consumer Affairs Subcommittee and the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee next week.
This legislation, if enacted as currently drafted, would hinder Tennessee's ability to recruit companies. As we have seen with California, many businesses are leaving states that enact costly legislation.
As drafted, this legislation will increase compliance costs for businesses of all sizes, not just large businesses. According to a California Department of Finance study, the annual cost of similar legislation (like the CCPA) costs/ and continued compliance costs.
- Small businesses: less than 20 employees $50,000
- Medium businesses: 20 - 100 employees $100,000
- Medium / large businesses: 100 - 500 employees $450,000
- Large businesses: 500+ $2 million
SB1135/ HB745. This legislation establishes the TN work-ready opportunity program through the department of labor and workforce development and department of education. Status: Sent to Senate Education Committee and the House has sent it to full committee.
SB1576/ HB401. This legislation allows for additional attorneys’ fees and cost be awarded when an employer wrongfully denies a claim or fails to provide benefits that the employee or dependent is entitled for injuries that occurs between 7/1/21/ and 6/30/23. Status: Passed in the Senate and the House.
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Get out of the office and unwind with the Afternoon Mixer April 6 at 3:45 p.m. at Brooke Nix Medical Aesthetics (111 W. Broadway Ave., Maryville).
Mixers 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. It is open to anyone associated with a Chamber member business. Participation is not reserved to the representative(s) listed on the Chamber membership.
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Make plans to attend Success in 90, “The Effects of Toxic Stress on the Human Body,” April 7 from 8:30-10:30 a.m. This virtual session is presented by Dr. Penelope Neal of King University's Pediatric Nurse Practitioner program.
This webinar promotes everyday interventions for building wellness, resilience, and promoting a healthy workplace.
Dr. Neal is a certified pediatric nurse practitioner and has provided primary care and mental health services to children for over 20 years.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
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MAKE THAT A.M. CONNECTION |
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After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
AM Connect is a virtual networking event designed to offer members the opportunity to build business relationships with other members and to gain exposure for their business or organization.
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ROOKIES GOTTA BEGIN SOMEWHERE |
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Consider sponsoring or participating in this virtual hiring event for entry-level positions on April 15. |
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An in-person hiring event is slated for April 27 at Foothills Mall. Consider sponsoring or participating. |
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GET IN OUR NEW LIVABILITY MAGAZINE |
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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.
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WE NEED HEALTHY BOUNDRIES |
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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.
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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.
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.
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March 29 from 10 am.-noon
March 30 from 9-10:30 a.m.
April 14 from 10 a.m.-noon
April 15 from 10 a.m.-noon
April 20 from 9-10 a.m.
April 21 from noon-1 p.m.
April 27 from 9:30-10:30 a.m.
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March 31 from 3-4 p.m.
The PRO act will make a number of significant union organizing changes impacting all employers. The purpose of this update is to learn about the proposed act and how it will impact businesses.
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April 8 from noon-1 p.m.
April 22 from noon-1 p.m.
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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
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March 28-April 3
April 4-11
Save the Date
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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 2001 was "Butterfly" by Crazy Town. It was named the 34th "Most Awesomely Bad Song Ever" by VH1. It was also rated number 3 on Billboard's chart for one-hit wonders of the 2000s, compiled in 2009.
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