Blount Partnership News & Events
Capitol Update
A number of proposals have been filed impacting business and industry. Some of the main categories of legislation include:
  • Workforce and education initiatives to address learning loss and ensure outcomes to meet industry needs
  • Data privacy legislation establishing requirements for business that collect or solicit over 100k businesses annually
  • Workers' compensation bills that provide expanded benefits
  • Business tax proposals that impact F&E tax liability as well as other taxes
  • Business mandates, from paid leave to childcare proposals to proposals limiting the questions business can ask to prospective employees
  • Proposals limiting the authority of local government to mandate business employment, benefit and wage requirements
  • Environmental compliance requirements for manufacturers and businesses 
State of Education
SCORE’s annual State Of Education In Tennessee report monitors the state’s progress in improving student outcomes, delineates work that has contributed to achievement gains, and provides recommendations to the state to ensure all students are prepared for success in college and career. 
Get Out of the Office
Company representatives are invited to an Industry & Educator Meet & Greet on February 9 from 4-6 p.m. at Broadway Social (102 E. Harper Ave., Maryville).

This is a casual opportunity to network with educators and industry leaders and learn more about the Blount Partnership's Workforce Advisory Collaborative. Appetizers and beverages will be served. RSVP to ajohns@blountpartnership.com. 

BOB Award Winners
Individuals and businesses that gave their time and resources to make Blount County a special place to live, work, and thrive were honored at the Blount Partnership's Best of Blount Awards.

Additionally, Lamar Alexander, Virginia Hardwick, Bob Sullivan, Ruth and Steve West, Pam Young, and Joe Zappa were named Blount County of Chamber Commerce lifetime members.
Integrated Marketing
On February 8, the integrated marketing experts at Fletcher Marketing PR will show you how to utilize content at every stage of the marketing funnel without creating more and more content. Learn to repurpose the content you already have across multiple platforms, turn one blog post into 5 social media posts, and aggregate content over time to create an e-newsletter.
 
Go Healthy With Kerr
This feature is a question-and-answer session with a new Blount County Chamber member. So, here we go with our 188th installment visiting with Adrienne Kerr, a certified holistic health coach with Healthy Shift Wellness and Nutrition. She is passionate about providing accurate wellness and nutritional information, motivation, and encouragement to those who want to improve their health and long-term vitality.
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.

Made for Women in Biz
To help level the playing field for women business owners, the Federal Government has created the "Women-Owned Small Business Contracting" program. Projects in designated industries may be set-aside for certified entities to bid. On February 16, you will learn: • Eligibility criteria • Types of projects set-aside • Application process

Join the Job Fair
The Blount County Chamber of Commerce, working off its mission statement to promote economic growth, is hosting the Blount County Job Fair on March 21 at Foothills Mall in Maryville from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Equitable Work Environment
Make plans to attend our next Success in 90 “Diversity, Equity & Inclusion” by Colber Prosper, Prosper & Partners, LLC on March 1 at 8:30 a.m. Get 2.00 HRCI credit hours.

Participants in this workshop will learn how to develop and maintain a satisfied and diverse workforce and how it contributes to “the bottom line.” 
Difficult Folks
Join us February 24 for the latest Soft Skills session entitled Working with Difficult People.

Join us to discuss methods for recognizing the characteristics of some of the most common types of difficult people, and strategies for dealing with them more effectively. We will explore practical techniques for dealing with a variety of behaviors, including negativity, aggression, childishness, and selfishness.
Tap Into More Biz Resources
New workshops are set for February. Take advantage of training opportunities with the SBDC at little or no cost.
 
Upcoming Events
2/10-12 at Foothills Mall
2/10 at Rothchilds Catering
2/10 at Airport Hilton
2/10 at The Shed
2/11 at Townsend Artisan Guild
2/11 at Public LIbrary
Full List of Events
Future of Marketing
Join us for a Leader Development Presentation with Dr. Nancy Scott, Leadership Development Programs Director for the Graduate and Executive Education Programs at UTK, on February 23 at 3:30 pm at Blount Partnership. Learn how to maximize the value of your network and utilize those relationships effectively. 
Save the Date
February 23 -- Coffee Club
February 24 -- Workplace EV Charging
March 20 -- Women in Business
Thank You to Our Sponsors