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.

Two significant tax policy proposals which were originally identified by the Chamber Tax Committee are scheduled for their final hearings next week. SB775/HB776 clarifies that COVID-19 relief payments received by Tennessee businesses through state grants such as the SERG and Small Business Relief Grant are not taxable income. The legislation will save Tennessee businesses millions in state excise tax deductions.
 
The other, SB608/HB1011 gives businesses additional month to file extended franchise and excise tax returns. This provides business tax preparers much needed time to accurately file the state return without having to simultaneously complete their federal return.

SB1576/ HB401 This legislation allows for additional attorneys’ fees and cost be awarded when an employer wrongfully denies a claim or fails to provide benefits that the employee or dependent is entitled for injuries that occurs between 7/1/21/ and 6/30/23. Status: Has passed in the Senate and the House. 

Businesses in Tennessee would be able to decide whether to follow health guidelines issued by either state or local authorities during a pandemic under legislation approved by House lawmakers last week.

Businesses would still be required to follow public health guidelines. But under the bill, titled "Business Fairness Act," they could decide whether to adhere to less stringent state guidelines over ones put in place by local authorities.

Sen. Bill Powers, R-Clarksville, said in an interview the bill protects small businesses that suffered economic loss due to mandated closures during the pandemic. Under the bill, businesses could choose to comply with any executive orders, rules or guidelines issued by the governor, state agencies or local authorities to curb the spread of a health crisis.
MIX IT UP WITH NIX
Get out of the office and unwind with the Afternoon Mixer April 6 at 3:45 p.m. at Brooke Nix Medical Aesthetics (111 W. Broadway Ave., Maryville).

Mixers are designed to offer our members the opportunity to build business relationships with other members and to gain exposure for their business or organization in an "open house" setting. It is open to anyone associated with a Chamber member business. Participation is not reserved to the representative(s) listed on the Chamber membership.
STEP BACK 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.
MAKE THAT A.M. CONNECTION
The Blount Chamber is hosting A.M. Connect on Friday, April 9 at 8:15 a.m., sponsored by Edward Jones - Shara S. White.


After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

AM Connect is a virtual networking event designed to offer members the opportunity to build business relationships with other members and to gain exposure for their business or organization.
ROOKIES GOTTA BEGIN SOMEWHERE
Consider sponsoring or participating in this virtual hiring event for entry-level positions on April 15.
An in-person hiring event is slated for April 27 at Foothills Mall. Consider sponsoring or participating.
JOURNEY NIGHT
The Sky City Entrepreneur Center is excited to host its first "Journey Night" on April 8 from 6-7 p.m. at The Bird & The Book (1509 E. Broadway Ave., Maryville).

Journey Nights are an opportunity to meet with local entrepreneurs and hear their stories from the trenches of starting a business and seeing it grow.

Brandon Bruce will share his journey as a local entrepreneur, community volunteer, and adventurer. He launched Cirrus Insight in Maryville in 2011 and was listed on the Inc 5000.
PELLISSIPPI PARKWAY DESIGN MEETING
The Tennessee Department of Transportation is hosting a virtual design public meeting from April 15-29 to gather public input on the proposed Pellissippi Parkway project from SR-33 to SR-73 (US-321). The proposed project consists of developing a new controlled-access four-lane highway with a concrete median barrier wall and grade-separated interchanges.


This meeting is being held to provide the public an opportunity to provide comments regarding the proposed project. Comments submitted through the project website will be addressed and become part of the official public transcript.

The Blount Chamber encourages its members to bookmark the website and make comments in support of the project.
GET IN OUR NEW LIVABILITY MAGAZINE
The Blount Partnership is partnering with Livability Media this year to tell our story through the Livability Blount County, Tennessee print and digital marketing program. The purpose of this program is to showcase why our community is a great place to visit, live and work and to leverage the national reach of Livability.com

In conjunction with those efforts. Livability Media staff have begin advertising sales for the 2022 Livability program primarily through Zoom meetings. As a community stakeholder, we encourage you to participate in these meetings to learn more about the opportunities that can help your business and our community maintain its continued economic progress. This program – and our external marketing efforts – can only thrive with your support.  

Our Livability Media representative Collin Gatlin will be reaching out to you in the coming days. We also encourage you to reach out to Collin directly for more information at cgatlin@livmedia.com or 615-771-5576.
WE NEED HEALTHY BOUNDRIES
The April 30 edition of soft skills classes offered by the Blount County Public Library is quickly approaching.

This Zoom Webinar session is 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.

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.

April 7 from 9-10 a.m.
 
April 7 from 10-11 a.m.
 
April 7 from 3-4:30 p.m.
 
April 13 from 10 a.m.-noon
 
April 13 from 2-3:30 p.m.
 
April 14 from 10 a.m.-noon
 
April 15 from 10 a.m.-noon
 
April 20 from 9-10 a.m.
 
April 20 from 10 a.m.-noon
 
April 21 from noon-1 p.m.
 
April 22 from 12:30-1:30 p.m.
 
April 27 from 9:30-10:30 a.m.
 
April 29 from 10-11 a.m.
April 8 from noon-1 p.m.

April 22 from noon-1 p.m.
April 26 from 2-3 p.m.

Discover Google tools that can help business owners work and manage their business. Plus, get insights on more online and timely resources for small businesses. In this webinar, Grow with Google speaker Dave Delaney will discuss:
  • How to update critical business information online
  • Keep customers informed
  • Conduct virtual meetings
  • Access important files from anywhere
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.
 
 
And follow tourism updates here:
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 1975 was "Lovin' You" by Minnie Riperton. After its peak that week, the song remained on the Hot 100 for a total of 18 more weeks.
NEWLETTER SPONSORS