Blount Partnership News & Events
Capitol Update
New legislation, covering a number of subjects continues to mount. Over 300 bills have been filed, though many have yet to receive a companion. Of those, estimates are that 25% are caption bills or placeholders, 27 deal with transportation and 60 deal with education and workforce. 

Items to watch:
Workers Compensation - SB97 expands and accelerates workers compensation death benefits for spouses who remarry and dependents in certain instances.
Labor Law - SB254/HB73 extends the maximum potential penalties for violations of the Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Act to match those allowed under federal law.
Workers Compensation - Makes various changes to the Workers' Compensation Law including award timeframes, attorney's fees, payment of medical expenses, and benefits of settlements. SB263/HB82 is an administration bill and makes minor clean ups to workers compensation.
A Hot Cup of Happiness
On January 26, wake up to new business contacts at Coffee Club from 7:45-9 a.m. at Ferry Construction Services (211 Ellis Ave., Maryville).

Coffees are designed to offer members the opportunity to build business relationships with other members and to gain exposure for their business or organization in an "open house" setting. They are open to anyone associated with a Chamber member business.
Get Updated on Legislation
Join us for the 2023 Regional Legislative Breakfast on January 27 with keynote speaker Stuart McWhorter, Commissioner, Department of Economic & Community Development at the First Baptist Family Life Center in Clinton.

Topics include proposed legislation for the upcoming session and a review of the legislative agenda developed by policy leaders at the Anderson County Chamber of Commerce, Blount Partnership, Farragut West Knox Chamber of Commerce, Knoxville Chamber of Commerce and Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce.
Limited BOB Tickets Remain
The Best of Blount Awards are returning on February 3 for a show at the Airport Hilton featuring live entertainment. The awards celebrate those individuals and businesses that give their time and resources to make this area an outstanding place to live and work.

Follow the link that suits your ticketing needs.
Ribbon Cutting
Come celebrate the grand opening and ribbon cutting for Wild Birds Unlimited (1714 W. Broadway Ave., Maryville) on January 26 at noon.

The two-day event has guest speakers and free drawing for prizes.
New Accountability Rules
Please join us February 1 to learn how Allevia Technology helped many businesses through the technological details of working from home while simultaneously learning and implementing a combination for maximizing employees’ productivity and well-being.
Workshop Rewind
If you missed the New Rules for Managing Employee Expectations presented by Frank Rosamond of Sandler, now you can view this workshop.

Understanding hiring and employee coaching from the perspective of the employee. A realization that it is your job (like it or not) to adapt your style to your team, not the other way around.
Soft Skills Are Back
Join us January 27 for the latest Soft Skills session 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.
Tap Into More Biz Resources
New workshops are set for January. Take advantage of training opportunities with the SBDC at little or no cost.
 
Upcoming Events
1/24 at Sky City Entrepreneur Center
1/26 at Dancing Bear Lodge
1/27 at First United Methodist Church
1/27 at The Shed
1/28 at GSM Heritage Center
Full List of Events
Future of Marketing
Presented by Allevia Technology, you're invited to join bestselling author Mark Schaefer on February 28 at 8:45 am at the Blount Partnership. Mark has just published his latest bestselling book, "Belonging to the Brand" and he will be our guest at a special event to tell us why community is the future of marketing.
 
He will explain why community is a vastly overlooked marketing opportunity for most organizations. 
Save the Date
February 23 -- Coffee Club
February 23 -- Leadership Development
February 24 -- Workplace EV Charging
Thank You to Our Sponsors