JOIN US FOR SPECIAL COFFEE CLUB |
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This is a special edition coffee club. Regular coffee club will be held on August 26.
Wake up to new business contacts at coffee club sponsored by BarberMcMurry Architects at Maryville College's Alumni Gym (502 E. Lamar Alexander Pkwy.) on August 10 at 7:45 a.m.
Coffees are designed to offer 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.
Please note that masks will be required at this event.
As of August 2, 2021, Maryville College reinstated its indoor mask policy for all individuals, both vaccinated and unvaccinated to keep with its commitment to follow science, public health recommendations and care for others. Individuals should also exercise physical distancing while indoors.
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BLOUNT COUNTY RANKS 8TH IN TOURISM |
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As a gateway to the Smoky Mountains, Blount County ranked eighth among Tennessee’s 95 counties in visitor expenditures at $337.01 million in 2020 according to the Economic Impact of Travel on Tennessee Counties report issued by the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development and Gov. Bill Lee.
Blount County’s $337.01 million in visitor spending represents a decrease of 21% from 2019. In fact, on an average day in 2020, tourist spending in Blount County still generated $923,000 in daily expenditures. It also spawned $38.01 million in local tax revenues for the year. Read more.
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Read this article published by the Wall Street Journal on August 6 entitled, "The Smarter Way to Visit America’s Most Popular National Park." On a return trip to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, a traveler learns from past mistakes and finds her own patch of euphoric solitude.
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Taste of Blount, a collection of savory food favorites from restaurants, caterers, food trucks and gourmet grocers, returns for its 19th year at the Theater in the Park in Maryville (across from the Blount County Courthouse) Thursday, Sept. 9 from 6–8 p.m.
Tickets, which are $25 for Blount County Chamber members, $30 for the public, are available at the Chamber office (201 S. Washington St., Maryville, Tenn.), by phone 865.983.2241 or online. Taxes and fees are added onto online ticket price.
To receive the Blount Chamber member rate, enter promo code: tobyum
New to this year’s event includes the ability to purchase cold brews and spirits, thanks to a partnership with Cherokee Distributing and the East Tennessee Distillers Guild.
Click here to view the ever-growing list of food vendors.
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PPP BORROWERS KNOW THIS:
- This new forgiveness process is not for all PPP borrowers.
- This new forgiveness process is only for: PPP Loans of 150K ($150,000) or less ONLY where:
- The PPP lender has “opted into” SBA’s streamlined process called “Direct Forgiveness”.
- To learn if their PPP lender is using this new process, the borrower must check the lender list here:
Here is additional info for borrowers to know and will be covered at this Info Session:
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For borrowers whose lender is participating in direct forgiveness,
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you can use our portal to apply after August 4, 2021. Direct forgiveness borrowers must use the SBA forgiveness portal.
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The questions you will be asked in the portal correspond to those asked on SBA form 3508S.
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For borrowers whose lender is not participating in direct forgiveness, you must apply through your lender.
- Your lender can provide you with either the SBA Form 3508, SBA Form 3508EZ, SBA Form 3508S, or a lender equivalent.
- Your lender can provide further guidance on how to submit the application.
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HAVE YOU TRIED OUR VIRTUAL NETWORKING? |
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The Blount Chamber is hosting A.M. Connect on Friday, August 13 at 8:15 a.m., presented by Visual Voice.
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.
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WHAT'S IN YOUR CYBER TOOLKIT? |
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Join PCS, Inc. Vice President, Dan Spear, on August 17 from 3-4 p.m. at the Blount Partnership (201 S. Washington St., Maryville), for a cyber workshop on disaster recovery as we discuss ways to keep your business safe in the wake of so many recent breaches.
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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 with an in-person workshop on August 24 from 3-4 p.m. at the Blount Partnership (201 S. Washington St., Maryville).
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.
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GET YOUR COMPANY NAME OUT THERE |
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The annual Townsend Fall Heritage and Bluegrass Festival and Old Timers Day will be held on September 24-25, 2021 at the Townsend Visitor Center. We would like to invite you to be a sponsor of this award-winning festival, which brings in a great number of overnight visitors to Blount County.
This is an exceptional opportunity to promote your business while providing a wide assortment of enjoyable activities for both our neighbors and visitors.
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PROTECT YOURSELF AND OTHERS |
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and area health departments are carefully watching the Delta variant of COVID-19. Unfortunately, this variant, which spreads more easily, is leading to an increase in COVID-19 cases in many U.S. states and around the world.
With the rise of case numbers and the more contagious Delta variant spreading, it is more important than ever that people get vaccinated as soon as possible. The vaccine is the best defense against COVID-19 and has proven effective at protecting against all forms of the virus including the Delta variant.
Getting vaccinated and exercising caution in public activities helps protect you and those around you. To learn more about vaccinations and where you can get them, visit Tennessee’s COVID-19 information hub.
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TSBDC HOLDING IN-PERSON CONSULTATIONS |
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After a year of working remotely, Knox TSBDC is excited to see you in person! Its business specialists will be scheduling in person, telephone and virtual appointments at the Blount County Chamber!
All of our training events will be available online unless noted.
To receive services, you must register with our Small Business Development Center by visiting our website and Requesting Free Advising. Select "Virtual Advising", follow directions from there.
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August 9 from noon-1 p.m.
August 10 from 3-4 p.m.
August 11 from 11 a.m.-noon
August 11 from 10 a.m.-noon
August 12 from 10 a.m.-noon
August 12 from 11 a.m.-noon
August 12 from 10 a.m.-noon
August 17 from 9-10 a.m.
August 17 from 3-4 p.m.
August 18 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
August 18 from 2-5 p.m.
August 26 from 1-2 p.m.
August 31 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
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August 9-15
August 16-22
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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