THIS WEEK'S NEWSLETTER PRESENTED BY:
FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE BRIEFING SET
Join us October 16 at 8:30 a.m. for a virtual Federal Legislative Briefing with Congressman Tim Burchett.

Register in advance for this meeting: 


After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
SIMPLER PPP FORGIVENESS
The U.S. Small Business Administration, in consultation with the Treasury Department, released a simpler loan forgiveness application for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans of $50,000 or less. This action streamlines the PPP forgiveness process to provide financial and administrative relief to America’s smallest businesses while also ensuring sound stewardship of taxpayer dollars. LEARN MORE.
PEOPLE PUZZLE
Join Kurt Greene, president and founder of Arrow G Consulting, October 15 at 9 a.m. on “Solving the Post-Pandemic People Puzzle”.

In this interactive workshop, participants will learn about effective approaches to leading teams, finding and keeping talent, engaging customers, and getting the right things done right, not just to survive, but to thrive.

Register in advance for this meeting:
   
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
MORE BIZ RELIEF FUNDING
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced an initial $50 million in federal Coronavirus Relief Funds for the new Supplemental Employer Recovery Grant (SERG) program to provide additional relief to small businesses suffering during the COVID-19 pandemic. This new wave of funding includes specific support for minority-owned, women-owned and veteran-owned businesses, as well as businesses owned by disabled persons.
 
Small business owners and non-profit organizations can apply to receive reimbursement for eligible direct expenses or costs incurred as a result of business interruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
The program’s application window remains open until December 29, 2020, or until all funds are depleted. 

To apply and learn more about what is eligible for reimbursement, please visit https://tncaresact.tn.gov/SERG. For application assistance, please call 1-833-740-1438 or email support@TNCARESACT.com. 

THE REPORT CARD IS OUT
The Tennessee Chamber of Commerce released its 2020 Legislative Results Report which highlights the Chamber's significant headway in advocacy efforts, advancing all of its 2020 legislative agenda (eligible for consideration) and defeating a number of anti-business bills. 

Additionally, the Chamber reviewed more than 2,900 bills to determine potential harmful effects on the business community. It even posted a legislative scorecard showing how each member of the House and Senate voted on business issues.
MAXIMIZE WITH US
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 by joining our webinar on October 13, 2020, at 2 p.m.

Register in advance for this meeting

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

R E M E M B E R !
Your membership is a corporate membership. Please encourage co-workers to get involved, educated, network and promote your company via Blount Chamber events and opportunities.
FOOD AND FRIENDS
Join us for a Power Connect Lunch on October 14 at 11:30 a.m., at The Shed .

Meet, Mingle, Lunch, Connect, Nibble, Engage and Network with other influential professionals.

Open to ALL Blount County Chamber members, but you must RSVP online . This is a Dutch Treat lunch.

Event chair Tony Saddy of Get Fit Maryville will lead the event.
SUPERVISORS NEED THIS INFO
Running a business is more than dollars and cents; there's a legal element that many human resource professionals, supervisors and managers deal with daily. To that end, the Blount Partnership, along with Wimberly, Lawson, Wright, Daves & Jones, is hosting a supervisor training - human resource/legal seminar October 26, 2020, from 10 a.m.-noon
 
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
THE SURVEY SAYS . . .
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation is working with Cicero Group, a third-party researcher, to continue ongoing research on the impacts of COVID-19 on employers, employee childcare needs, and return to work planning. They have created a short survey and asked the Blount Chamber to participate.

If you have not already done so, please follow the link to take the survey; it should only take 10-15 minutes to complete. Please complete the survey by Tuesday, October 13.
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.  


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.
CREATE A HEALTHY WORKPLACE
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.

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.

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 

October 15 from 9:30-11 a.m.

October 20 from 9-10:30 a.m.

October 20 at 10 a.m.

October 21 at 10 a.m.

October 22 at 2 p.m.
Pellissippi State Community College is hosting "The Art, Science & Impact of Digital Storytelling" on Oct. 21 from 12:30-2 p.m. 
 
Registration is open now for professionals in digital, creative and strategic communications communities. 

This webinar will bring together thought leaders in digital production, creative services and brand storytelling, to discuss industry trends and workforce opportunities. 

Session 1 will focus on the essence and purpose of strategic communications and digital engagement and will explore questions such as: 
 
  • How much is the medium still (or even more so) the message in the digital age?  
  • How should strategies and tactics change as digital innovation accelerates and saturates?  
  • Is understanding your audience more important as you aim to earn trust for your business, sell products/services to customers or persuade people to your cause - and how can authentic connections be achieved during the disruption of the COVID-19 Age? 
Diversity & Inclusion Discussion
October 19 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. | REGISTER HERE
Diversity and Inclusion is crucial to future workforce development and this event will offer your business or organization an opportunity to implement real measures that produce results.  

This major virtual event headlines a number of major Tennessee companies and their D&I initiatives and will explore how businesses and organizations of all sizes can establish and improve their programs to ensure they create a welcoming climate for both existing and prospective employees that welcomes diversity. 
WHAT'S HAPPENING?
TENNESSEE PLEDGE
As businesses reopen across the state, Tennessee’s Economic Recovery Group released guidance for businesses. The Tennessee Pledge guidelines recommend capacity limits, spacing requirements, and frequent sanitization, among others.
 
The full guidance offered by the state can be found here as well as printable guidelines.
COVID-19 CASES IN BLOUNT COUNTY
Distance
The City of Maryville publishes a daily web page that breaks down all the COVID-19 cases in Blount County.

Bookmark it to make sure you know the facts.
TRACK THE ECONOMY
Credit Card
If you're interested in an economy tracking information chart from the national, state and local levels, view and interact with this website.
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
THE WITCHES ARE BACK
Published in 1983 by Roald Dahl "The Witches" became a burned book and then adopted into a 1990 classic movie.
Now "The Witches" are back with a remake.
NEWLETTER SPONSORS