THIS WEEK'S NEWSLETTER PRESENTED BY:
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.

E-verify Mandate: (HB801/SB902) This week, legislation was defeated that would add a number of significant mandates on Tennessee regarding the state's E-verify program. Primarily, the legislation as drafted would substantially increase the number of businesses, especially small, that would have to participate in the program. 

Right-to-Work Constitutional Amendment: (SJR2-Kelsey/HJR72-Todd). The Senate passed SJR2, which is the final hurdle to embed right-to-work in our state constitution before sending the measure to voters next year. The companion resolution also advanced in the house and is calendared in the House Commerce Committee next week. 

Workers Compensation Misclassification: (HB1285/SB1577) by Boyd/Bailey. This is a TN Chamber priority agenda item o help end workers' compensation fraud through the misclassification of employees. Through months of negotiation, this bill balances the Bureau of Worker's Compensation authority to investigate and enforce instances of fraud. This legislation takes several important, but careful steps to give the Bureau of Worker’s Compensation further authority to investigate and enforce instances of fraud. It will also help level the playing field where certain good business owners are following our Worker’s Compensation laws but being outbid by those who are cheating the system. The bill is set to be heard in Senate Commerce Committee and in the house will be heard in the full Commerce Committee on March 16.

Unemployment Trust Fund: (HB1039/ SB1402) by Swann/Vaughn- Could shorten the duration of UI benefits from six months to between 12-20 weeks depending on the state unemployment rate and increases the maximum benefit up to $50/week. Tennessee's current benefit level is $275 maximum weekly. The shortest duration would be 12 weeks when unemployment is below 5.5%. Tennessee's UI fund has not had any major changes for a number of years. Proponents of the legislation note it will help the UI fund solvency, encourage a return to work and increase funds for workers who are displaced.
THE POWER IN NUMBERS
Join us for a midday networking lunch on Tuesday, March 16 at 11:30 a.m., at Smoky Mountain Brewery. Meet, Mingle, Lunch, Connect, Nibble, Engage and Network with other influential professionals.

While there is an opportunity to introduce your business, current areas of focus and/or anything you could use help with, please show up with a focus on how you 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.
RIBBON CUTTING THURSDAY
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
A draft of Mobility Plan 2045 is available at knoxmobility.org for public comments.
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. Read more.
MINDFULNESS AT WORK
The March 26 edition of soft skills classes offered by the Blount County Public Library is quickly approaching.

ï»żThis 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.

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 16 from 9-10 a.m.

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?
business_people3.jpg
March 17 from 9-noon
After completing this workshop, participants will be able to help make their organization a more supportive and engaging place to work by understanding the perceptual, institutional, and psychological processes that impact the ways people interact with each other. DESIGNED FOR: Employees across all departments within an organization.
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.
 
 
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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 1968 was "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay" by Otis Redding. It held the top spot for four weeks. It becoming the first posthumous single to top the charts in the U.S. following Redding's death in December 1967.
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