THIS WEEK'S NEWSLETTER PRESENTED BY: |
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The Blount Partnership staff will be wearing Halloween costumes and attendees are invite to wear one as well.
Coffees 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.
Coffees are open to anyone associated with a Chamber member business. Participation is not reserved to the representative(s) listed on the Chamber membership.
We will follow the physical distancing guidelines set forth by the Tennessee Pledge. Attendees are strongly encouraged to wear a mask.
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NOT ONE, BUT TWO RIBBON CUTTINGS |
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It's double your pleasure with a pair of ribbon cuttings this week. The first is celebrating Rocky's Jamaica Sunrise's new location and the second is welcoming a new business to the community in Southern Twist Nutrition. We hope to see you there. |
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October 28 at 3:30 p.m.
501 N. Cusick St.
Maryville
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October 30 at 10 a.m.
1738 W. Broadway Ave.
Maryville
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CREATING MORE COHESIVE TEAMS |
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Jennifer Goodrich of Crestcom leads a virtual discussion about Creating More Cohesive Teams on November 4 at 8:30 a.m., as part of the Blount Chamber's Success in 90 series. REGISTER HERE.
We will focus on personal traits and our own personal reputations that build or erode confidence in us as leaders. Additionally, we will train participants how to build team cohesiveness by getting their team's involved in improving teamwork and team effectiveness.
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TN PROMISE DEADLINE NEARS |
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Blount County’s TN Promise applications are down about 30% as of Oct. 19, according to TN Achieves. With the Nov. 2 deadline approaching for the Class of 2021, the Blount Partnership is encouraging students to apply now.
"High school seniors who do not apply for TN Promise by the deadline on Nov. 2 will not be eligible to receive Tennessee Promise dollars at any point in the future,” Director of Partnership Programs Jessica Belitz said Thursday. “This is an urgent message to students and their parents to make sure they get these applications in on time.”
Tennessee Promise provides last-dollar scholarships to guarantee high school graduates up to five consecutive semesters of free tuition at the state’s community colleges, colleges of applied technology and other institutions.
The ability for high schoolers to continue on to a post-secondary institution and get credentials will not only help the students, but it is also important for our industries and our entire community. “We need these students to continue on where they can gain the skills necessary to take advantage of the lucrative careers that are offered in Blount County,” Belitz said. “Many of our jobs require some type of education and training beyond high school.”
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U.S. CHAMBER POLICY BRIEFING SET |
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On November 12 from 8:30-10:30 a.m., you're invited to a virtual presentation conducted by members of the U.S. Chamber as it relates to the business community and the travel and tourism industry.
Tom Sullivan leads a discussion about "Phase 4 Legislation and What It Means for Small Businesses and Communities." Nathan Morris discusses "Liability" and Jon Baselice gives an update entitled "Travel and Tourism: Economic Outlook and Road to Recovery." REGISTER HERE
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After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
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BE PART OF SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY |
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The Blount Chamber wants to celebrate Small Business Saturday on November 28 with you! It's a special holiday created so communities can show love for small local businesses. And it wouldn't be a celebration without businesses like you joining us!
If your business wishes to participate, email alawson@blountpartnership.com. We are trying to get the word out about shopping locally at the beginning of the holiday season, by producing an ad in The Daily Times and doing social media posts the week leading up to Small Business Saturday.
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HELP CONNECT THOSE LOOKING FOR A JOB |
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If you know someone that is seeking a job or a business wishing to participate in the Blount Partnership's virtual Career Connection on October 29 from 10-11 a.m., visit this webpage for more information.
Attendees leave with a list of jobs and contacts on how to apply for those positions.
Companies, this is a great opportunity to showcase your company and job openings (both internships, part-time and full-time positions) to recent graduates, current students and career seekers. Each company will have 3-5 minutes to give an elevator pitch about their company and available jobs. We are limiting this event to a maximum of 17 companies.
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GET PLACEMENT IN BASICALLY BLOUNT |
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The 2021 Basically Blount lifestyle magazine and membership directory is entering production once again. This annual, full-color lifestyle magazine and chamber membership directory is initially distributed to all Chamber members starting Feb. 2021, along with distribution four times throughout the year via area professional offices, newcomers, visitors, and new businesses all looking to relocate to Blount County.
If you would like to learn more about the benefits of Basically Blount, the importance of supporting the Chamber, and how to get your business involved, contact:
Rick Ford of Marcon Marketing at 865-705-8580
We are pleased to offer a variety of advertising opportunities at cost effective rates through our media kit.
As we begin to publish, please make sure we have your latest information (i.e. contact name, address, phone, email, web address). To see what is listed, please go here.
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SUPERVISORS NEED THIS INFO |
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Register in advance for this meeting:
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
ADDRESSING RACE RELATIONS
Given recent events, including the George Floyd scenario, it is imperative that employers thoughtfully and directly address workplace related racial issues. This session will identify the most relevant issues HR professionals should consider when attempting to discuss and address such racial issues. This session will also explore strategies and best practices to be employed when dealing with race-related workplace issues.
Presented by Fred Bissinger
OSHA, leave laws, work from home and Fair Labor Standards Act
The pandemic has resulted in myriad employment law concerns for employers keeping their business running. Learn about several such legal considerations including OSHA, leave laws new and old, work from home issues, and how the Fair Labor Standards Act is implicated in multiple scenarios.
Presented by Howard Jackson
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NEED ASSISTANCE IN
HR, MARKETING OR ACCOUNTING?
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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.
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.
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CREATE A HEALTHY WORKPLACE |
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The October 30 edition of soft skills classes offered by the Blount County Public Library is quickly approaching.
This Zoom Webinar session is entitled "Building a Trauma-Informed Workplace." How can you use the guiding principles of Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) to create a psychologically healthy workplace that prioritizes employee wellness? Learn practical approaches to creating an environment that champions care, safety, and respect.
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.
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Get the Facts on PPP and EIDL
Hear from SBA every Monday and Friday at noon ET until December 21. Find out what is a myth and what is a truth on SBA loans for small businesses. REGISTER HERE
November 11 at 10 a.m.
November 12 at 10 a.m.
November 17 at 9 a.m.
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CLAYTON-BRADLEY ACCEPTING APPS |
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Clayton-Bradley Academy is now accepting Pre-K through 10th grade applications for the 2021-2022 school year!
CBA is an independent, Pre-K through 12th grade STEM school in Maryville.
Visit their website to apply or learn more.
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October 26-November 1
November 2-8
Save the Date
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BE SURE YOU'RE FOLLOWING US |
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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:
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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
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Topping the Billboard Hot 100 this week in 1978 was "Hot Child in the City" by Nick Glider. According to The Billboard Book of Number 1 Hits it held the record for taking the longest amount of time to reach No. 1.
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![Nick Gilder- "Hot Child In The City" 1978 [Reelin' In The Years Archives]](https://web-extract.constantcontact.com/v1/thumbnail?url=https://i.ytimg.com/vi/BKFHVOgN_D8/hqdefault.jpg)
