Due to the winter storm that swept across Tennessee last week, all scheduled meetings in the General Assembly were canceled. The legislature is expected to return to Nashville January 22.

Governor Lee announced his administration's plan to address the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the state’s music industry. This proposal will be the first on AI in Tennessee to date. The proposal, referred to as the Ensuring Likeness Voice and Image Security (ELVIS) Act, aims to expand Tennessee’s Protection of Personal Rights law to include protections for songwriters, performers, and music industry professionals’ voice from the misuse of AI.

Wake up to new business contacts at Coffee Club sponsored by SERVEPRO of Blount County on January 25 at the Blount Partnership (201 S. Washington St., Maryville) from 7:45-9 a.m. Coffees are designed to offer members the opportunity to build business relationships with other members and gain exposure for their business or organization in an "open house" setting. 

Join us as we welcome two new businesses to the county with grand opening and ribbon cutting celebrations.

January 22 at 4 p.m. for ZDETAILZ Auto Detailing (2816 E. Lamar Alexander Pkwy., Maryville)

January 25 at 4 p.m. for Home2Suites (1864 Pauling St., Alcoa)

Rescheduled ribbon cuttings:

January 29 at 1:30 p.m. for Grace Adult Day Center (2706 Mayflower Dr., Maryville)

January 31 at 11 a.m. for Southern Orthocare (2022 Chilhowee Medical Park, Maryville)

Join us for a midday networking lunch on January 16 at 11:30 a.m., at Smoky Mountain Brewery Meet, mingle, lunch, connect, nibble, engage and network with other influential professionals. Open to ALL Blount County Chamber members, but you must register below. This is a Dutch Treat lunch. Limited to 45 attendees

Event chair Tony Saddy of Get Fit Maryville leads the event.

Register Here

Come hear best-selling author Jeremie Kubicek at a Live Stream Lunch & Learn event on January 24 at the Blount Partnership Board Room from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Jeremie will be giving a Keynote address on the Communication Code followed by a Q&A session. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear an INC Magazine top 100 Speaker live. 

Register Here

Starting January 1, 2024, your business will likely be required to report beneficial ownership information to the U.S. Treasury Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). There are time limits on this reporting and significant civil and criminal penalties for failure to report.

Join us January 31 at 8:30 a.m. at the Blount Partnership to learn the what and when about reporting.

Register With Host Kelly Love

On February 1 at 8:30 a.m., at the Blount Partnership, dive into the transformative power of artificial intelligence in the realm of marketing. You’ll learn about the intricacies of AI’s role in marketing and explore how brands are improving customer experiences, driving sales, and increasing efficiency. From understanding the core concepts to practical applications, equip yourself with knowledge that can be instantly applied in today's dynamic marketplace.

Register Here

The Boyd Center for Business and Economic Research administers a Business Leaders Survey biannually to understand perspectives on key economic and policy issues. Please provide responses based on your location in Tennessee regardless of whether your firm operates regionally, nationally or internationally.

Take the Survey

You are invited to meet and network with local educators and industry partners on January 25 at Diamondjack Wine Bar from 4-5:30 p.m.

This is a great opportunity for educators and industry professionals to network and build relationships that can be utilized for internships, apprenticeships, guest speaking, etc.

RSVP to ajohns@blountpartnership.com

Make plans to attend our next Success in 90 “Mental Health in the Workplace” by Lauren Fugate and Samantha Pitkin, The Middle Path, on February 7 at 8:30 a.m. 

This workshop looks to build awareness of mental health, it’s presentation and how it impacts staff functioning in the workplace. 



Register Here

Early voting for the presidential preference primary, county property assessor primary, county school board primary and Rockford city commissioner election runs February 14-27. Election day is March 5.

Early Voting Locations

Find Your Precinct

Register to Vote

The Blount County Chamber of Commerce is hosting the Blount County Job Fair sponsored by Amazon the Great Smoky Mountains Association on February 21 at Foothills Mall in Maryville from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Sponsorships and employer participation forms are available by clicking the links to the left.

New workshops are set for January. Take advantage of training opportunities with the SBDC at little or no cost.

View a full list of upcoming on-site workshops and trainings with the SBDC or request a free advising session.