THIS WEEK'S NEWSLETTER PRESENTED BY:
5-STAR ACCREDITED AGAIN
Thanks to support from members like you, the Blount Chamber was awarded its fourth consecutive Five-Star Accreditation by the United States Chamber of Commerce.

We have been accredited for the past 42 years and will now move on to complete a 25-year run of five-star status. There are only 133 5-Star chambers among more than 7,000 nationwide, including four in Tennessee.

This designation does not come easily as we are reviewed on our sound policies, effective organizational procedures, and positive impact on the community.
LIFE HAPPENS. COFFEE HELPS.
Wake up to new business contacts at the Blount Chamber coffee club hosted by the Airport Hilton (2001 Alcoa Hwy.) from 7:45-9:00 a.m. on March 25.

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.
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.

The first is a proposal that brings positive fiscal changes to Tennessee's UI system for employers. HB1039-Vaughan/SB1402-Swann will rework unemployment by shortening the duration of benefits and increasing the weekly benefit amount through an indexing system based on unemployment rates. 

The Chamber is supporting HB745-Haston/SB1135-White. The proposal offers high school seniors the opportunity to earn a nationally recognized career-readiness certificate. It provides students with an understanding of different career pathways, as well as the opportunity to earn postsecondary credit and to graduate with a nationally recognized credential. It will significantly strengthen the state’s workforce by helping to ensure strong, stable career pipelines through a nationally recognized, portable, evidence-based credential that certifies essential skills for workplace success. 

HB401/SB1576: 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: Sent to House Calendar & Rules committee and Senate Calendar Committee.

HB745/SB1135: This legislation establishes the TN work ready opportunity program through the department of labor and workforce development and department of education. It assesses adult displaced workers and high school students’ career readiness.
Status: Deferred in the House Instruction Subcommittee to 3/23/21 and referred to Senate Education Committee. 
RIBBON CUTTING TUESDAY
OVERCOME TOXIC STRESS
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.
MOBILITY PLAN 2045
Mobility Plan 2045 is the region’s long-range transportation plan and is updated every four years to account for changes in community and regional priorities, technology, project costs, and available funding. This update will guide transportation investments in the region for the next 25 years.

March 23 at noon -- Streets & Highways
March 24 at 9 a.m. -- Speak to the TPO Board
March 25 at noon -- Virtual Town Hall Lunch Session
March 25 at 5 p.m. -- Virtual Town Hall Evening Session
GET IN OUR NEW LIVABILITY MAGAZINE
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.
MINDFULNESS AT WORK
The March 26 edition of soft skills classes offered by the Blount County Public Library is quickly approaching.

This Zoom Webinar session is entitled "Mindfulness at Work: Reducing Stress and Regaining Balance." Employing mindfulness at work can help increase effectiveness, decrease mistakes, and even enhance creativity. Learn mindfulness tools that help you destress, tune in and get the job done.

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.
SUPPORT BUSINESS LICENSE PLATE
Inspired by the classic Tennessee plate design, the Tennessee Chamber launched a Support Local Business license plate to promote the work of Tennessee's business community across our great state. All proceeds go to the Tennessee Chamber's Foundation to promote workforce development and other programs that seek to enhance Tennessee's business climate.

License plates are $35 - Order Today!  Submit information to reserve your plate. 
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.

March 23 from 9:30-10:30 a.m.

March 25 from 10-11 a.m.

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.
March 24 from 9-10:30 a.m.
How do you ensure effective collaboration and communication in your team without face-to-face interaction?
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
WHAT'S HAPPENING?
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 1985 was "Can't Fight This Feeling" by REO Speedwagon. It held the top spot for three weeks and was the group's second number-one hit on the U.S. charts.
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