Blount Partnership News & Events
My lifetime supply would be peanut M&Ms and Fanta orange.
Capitol Update
Tangible Property Tax: The Tennessee Chamber supports SB384/HB804  that lowers administrative and otherwise preparatory costs, reduces the time it takes businesses to file, does not issue a decrease in local tax revenue, and is projected to improve filing compliance. The taxpayer would have the option to certify, subject to audit, that the depreciated value of tangible personal property on the assessment form is $2,000 or less and add an additional tier at $10,000 or less but greater than $2,000. 

Other Bills of Interest
SB73/HB1181 - Data Privacy - requires businesses with the information of 100,000 or more customers annually through your website or internet marketing efforts to comply with a new, costly regulatory structure. Businesses subject to the act would need to have a designated controller of this information that could respond to consumer inquiries. The proposed legislation will be enforced through the Tennessee Attorney General's Office of Consumer Protection. The Chamber has significant concerns as drafted but is working with the sponsor to file an amendment to make the bill less burdensome for business.

SB1263/HB1467 - Workers Compensation - as introduced would break away from long established Tennessee workers compensation law that employees must choose from a list of three physicians provided by their employer. Additionally, it would allow an injured employee to choose any treating physician in any specialty and makes various other changes related to the selection of treating physicians for injured workers under the Workers’ Compensation Law. SB1263 is an employer mandate and will significantly increase workers' compensation cost for employers. 

SB1015/HB1518 — Labor Law — enacts the "Family Caregiver Antidiscrimination Act" which prohibits an employer from discriminating against an employee or potential employee because of the employee's family responsibilities. SB1015/HB1518 is an employer mandate and would be burdensome for business. The bill mandates compensated time off for a number of family responsibilities defined vaguely in the bill and opens up employers to frivolous lawsuits. There is existing law that already provides protections as it relates to prohibiting sex discrimination, at least for employers with 8 or more employees. 
Ribbon Cutting
You're invited to attend the Scooter's Coffee ribbon cutting on March 17 at 11 a.m. at 2002 W. Broadway Ave., Maryville.

Download the Scooter's Coffee app and enjoy half off any drink when you pay with the app. Limit one per customer on March 17 at this location only.

Come welcome this new chamber member to the community.
Sign Up to Maximize
On March 16 from 3-4 p.m. at the Blount Partnership (201 S. Washington St., Maryville), learn more about the Blount Chamber and the many opportunities that go along with being a member. Learn how to make the most of the benefits afforded to you.
Network Better When You Know the Signs
Attend the best networking class ever on March 28 from 3-4 p.m. at the Blount Partnership as Raeus Jae Cannon uses everyday traffic signs to fuel-up audiences. Turn on the lights as Raeus shows you how to quit making cold calls and drive more prospects into your funnel.
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.

Difficult Folks
Join us March 24 for In the Lead: Skills, Characteristics, and Habits for Shaping Tomorrow.

What does it take to lead at work and home? Join us to explore needed skills, characteristics, and habits that help bring about positive, lasting change. Leave with frameworks, tools, and exercises you can do to “put courage over comfort” and be the change you want to see.

Feature Heading
Make plans to attend our next Success in 90 “Across the Ages: Managing Multiple Generations in the Workplace” by Leslie Beale, Profusion Strategies on Wednesday, April 5 at 8:30 a.m. at the Blount Partnership.

Leadercast 2023
On May 3, you're invited to attend Leadercast Human Intelligence which features eight prominent leaders sharing from their field of expertise and personal background to help other leaders embrace that they are ultimately leading people, not simply a company or an organization. 

Click here for tickets and more information.
Tap Into More Biz Resources
New workshops are set for March. Take advantage of training opportunities with the SBDC at little or no cost.
 
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