GENERAL ASSEMBLY UPDATE
Antibusiness proposals begin rolling in as session nears filing deadline â€“ Proposals that would significantly affect Tennessee labor law are beginning to get filed in both the house and senate. HB2029-Clemmons (D-Nashville)/SB1971-Kyle (D-Memphis) allows a local government to require a private employer to pay a minimum wage in excess of the federal minimum wage.

SB2025-Hensley (R- Hohenwald) and HB1645-Ogles (R-Franklin), for example, would further amend Tennessee state law preventing employers from requiring proof of COVID-19 vaccinations.

SB2025 creates an offense for scenarios when a person or entity intentionally requires another person to receive a COVID-19 vaccination or provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of employment.

HB1645 creates a Class D felony, punishable by a fine not to exceed $5,000, for taking adverse action against an employee who has expressly objected to the COVID-19 vaccination based upon the employee's religious beliefs, creed, or conscience, with the intent to unlawfully intimidate or force the employee to obtain a COVID-19 vaccination.
 
State of the State: On Monday evening, Governor Lee will be delivering his fourth and final State of the State address of his first term. Expected to be highlighted during the speech are his plans to realign Tennessee's education funding formula. He will also outline how he proposes to utilize the state’s massive budget surpluses.

Those interested in viewing the 2022 address can find it on Governor Lee’s Facebook or YouTube channel. It will also be aired statewide. 
 
Redistricting plans finalized as both chambers accept maps – The House and Senate this week approved final versions of House, Senate, and congressional redistricting maps that will serve the state until 2032. All final votes on the plans were along party lines.
SMALL BIZ AND THE IRS
Join the IRS for an online meeting March 16 at 2 p.m. for small business organizations and owners. The meeting includes:
  • Presentations from IRS leadership covering the top tax issues affecting small business owners regarding income, deductions, employment taxes and recordkeeping
  • How to get ready for the 2022 filing season
  • Tax scams targeting small businesses 
  • How the IRS is reorganizing to better serve small business taxpayers
ARE YOU READY FOR THE METAVERSE?
On February 9 from 8:30-10 a.m. at the Blount Partnership (201 S. Washington St., Maryville), Jessee Black and Brant Hindman with LDP Studios will provide insight to prepare for what is currently developing into hypergrowth of advanced technological achievements in marketing, sales, and training for engaging new customers, current customers, and training new and current employees. 

This program includes:
  • QR codes - What value can it add to my business?
  • Augmented Reality - How is it being used to engage customers and create conversions?
  • Virtual Reality - Why are businesses using VR for training?
  • Metaverse - Why did Facebook change its name to Meta? What does this mean for my business? Why are big companies investing into this future concept?

MLK WORSHIP SERVICE RESCHEDULED
The community worship service planned as part of the 2022 Blount County MLK Day Weekend Celebration has been rescheduled for 4 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 6, at Rest Haven Baptist Church (224 E. Watt St., Alcoa). Attendees will be required to wear masks.

The Rev. Peter Kenny, pastor of Williamson Chapel United Methodist Church in the Lanier community and former associate minister at St. John Baptist Church in Alcoa, will give the spiritual message.

The MLK Celebration Choir, led by Larry Ervin, will provide music.

During the service, the MLK Celebration Planning Committee will present the Anthony Dunnings Community Service Award and recognize the persons selected to be the grand marshals of the MLK March that was scheduled for January 17 but cancelled because of wintery weather.
VENDORS / SERVICES FOR AIR SHOW
The Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority (MKAA) is requesting Statements of Interest and Basic Qualifications to provide various items, services, and resources to support the production and management of the 2022 Smoky Mountain Air Show (SMAS) to be held at McGhee Tyson Airport and Air National Guard Base on September 9-11, 2022. The MKAA reserves the right to engage other providers for services of this nature.

Please open advertisement (pdf) for products and services related to the 2022 Smoky Mountain Air Show and requirements to participate.  
CONNECT OVER LUNCH
Join us for a midday networking lunch on February 17 at 11:30 a.m., at Smoky Mountain Brewery (743 Watkins Rd., Maryville). Meet, mingle, lunch, connect, nibble, engage and network with other influential professionals.

While you have an opportunity to introduce your business, current areas of focus and/or anything you could use help with, please address how they may be able to add value for the other attendees.

Open to ALL Blount County Chamber members, but you must Register Online. This is a Dutch Treat lunch.
Event chair Tony Saddy of Get Fit Maryville will lead the event.
UPGRADE YOUR SOFT SKILLS
Take your career to the next level with these soft skill sessions. Soft skills are strengthened and developed over time, and are necessary if you desire to climb the career ladder. 

Healthy Boundaries for Success at Work -- Feb. 25
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. REGISTER HERE.
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 little or no cost.

February 3 from 12:30-1:30 p.m.

February 8 from 10 a.m.-noon

February 8 from 3-4 p.m.

February 9 from 11 a.m.-noon

February 10 from 10-11 a.m.

February 10 from 10 a.m.-noon

February 10 from 1-2 p.m.

February 22 from 11 a.m.-noon

February 22 from 4-6 p.m.
WHAT'S HAPPENING?
Please note. If you wish to add any of the following events to your calendar, you can do it from the website calendar by clicking on the icon in the lower right-hand corner of the listing. Chamber Events | Community Events

January 31-February 6

February 7-13
February 11 -- Rotary Night Fever

Save the Date
February 17 -- Power Connect Lunch

You can access the Blount County Chamber events calendar here or the community calendar here. Submit your event here.
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:
REMEMBER WHEN . . .
Topping the Billboard Hot 100 this week in 1983 was "Africa" by Toto. It was the band's only Billboard number one. 
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