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Blount Partnership News & Events
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HB0985/SB0824, which would have weakened gun posting penalties and infringed on property rights, was deferred for the remainder of the legislative session.
HB2570/SB2337, which would have raised the grocery tax on certain foods deemed unhealthy and eliminated the grocery tax on other foods, was taken off notice in the House Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee and is dead for the year.
Legislation advancing in the General Assembly would make sweeping changes to Tennessee’s tax treatment of real estate investment trusts (REITs), raising significant concerns for both in-state and national businesses. HB1777/SB2126 carries a $96 million positive fiscal note—indicating a substantial tax increase—and its excise tax provisions would require all REITs to add back the federal dividends paid deduction (DPD), a major departure from current law that generally limits this requirement to certain captive REITs. It would eliminate longstanding deductions and exemptions for partnership income distributed to public REITs, despite the common use of partnership structures across the industry. Importantly, REIT structures are not limited to traditional real estate companies—many major operating companies, including those in banking, retail, and hospitality, utilize REITs to hold real estate assets in order to separate operating businesses from property ownership, improve capital efficiency, and provide flexibility in financing. As a result, these changes would increase the excise tax burden across a wide range of industries.
The Chamber is concerned that these combined tax increases could disrupt established business models and ultimately drive up costs for businesses and consumers. As drafted, the bill represents a shift in Tennessee’s tax policy that risks undermining the state’s economic competitiveness and housing affordability.
View Legislative Calendars: House | Senate
Information provided by the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce
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Raven Steakhouse and Lounge is holding its ribbon cutting ceremony on March 30 at 1 p.m. at 211 W. Broadway Ave., Maryville.
Join us for light refreshments as we welcome them to downtown Maryville.
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Making Easier Connections | |
Ready to “read the signs” and attract more business without dialing strangers?
Join Raeus Jae Cannon on March 31 at 3 p.m. at the Blount Partnership as she shares how she stopped making cold calls—and how you can too. Learn simple, powerful networking strategies that drive prospects to you and strengthen the relationships you already have.
Register Here
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Join Allevia Technology's Stefan Wilson on April 1 at 8:30 a.m. at the Blount Partnership as he dives into how businesses can practically use AI today, and how they can see immediate ROI. For many people, the “theory” of AI is well established… but how do you move from deciding “yes, we should use AI in the business” to “here’s how we actually use AI in the business”?
Register Here
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Join us for the next program of the Blount Chamber Veterans in Business Group on April 2 at 8:30 a.m.. Our topic of discussion will be, "Networking - How to Effectively Meet the Right Connections."
Bring a fellow veteran business owner, especially someone who may not be attending this group. We look forward to continuing the mission together - supporting those who served as they build, lead, and succeed in business. Coffee and breakfast items provided.
Register Here
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On April 8 at 3:30 p.m. at the Blount Partnership, explore all that the Blount Chamber has to offer and unlock the full potential of your membership. From networking events to educational resources, your corporate membership opens the door to a wide range of opportunities. Encourage your colleagues to get involved. The more your team engages, the more your company benefits.
Register Here
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Get out of the office on April 9 at 3:45 p.m. and unwind at an Afternoon Mixer hosted by Ancient Lore Village (7107 Sevierville Pike, Knoxville).
Mixers 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. It is open to anyone associated with a Chamber member business.
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| | Join us for the next Small Business Peer-to-Peer Group meeting on April 15 at 8:30 a.m. at REO Cheesewagon (429 W. Broadway Ave, Maryville, TN). This group is designed for small business owners and operators to connect in a confidential, supportive environment. It is not a referral or sales group—our focus is on sharing knowledge, resources, and real-world experiences related to running a business. | | | |
What Visitors are Telling You | |
In this hands-on workshop on April 16 at the Blount Partnership from 9-10 a.m., you’ll discover what your visitor information is telling you about your best customers and how to make them return again and again.
You’ll learn to spot patterns in your store and website traffic, understand what visitors really come back for, how your website, social media and email can help you stay in touch, and brainstorm a simple plan to turn first-time visitors into loyal customers.
Register Here
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As the Southeast’s premier event at the intersection of industry and academia, the third annual Marketing and Sales Innovation Conference and Awards April 8-9 at the Crowne Plaza in Knoxville invites professionals from across the industry to explore the future of marketing and sales through dynamic keynotes, engaging with thought leaders and collaborating on workshops, all while building meaningful connections.
Register Here
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Be part of a team behind Townsend's unforgettable guest experiences, where service meets the Smokies.
On April 9 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Townsend City Hall, 133 Tiger Dr., representatives from Dancing Bear, Peaceful Side Social, Apple Valley, Highland Manor Inn, Waylon's Place, The Abbey, and Company Distilling will be on hand to talk about their open positions.
Contact Tanya Myers for more information.
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The Blount Chamber, a nonpartisan organization, welcomes you to the voters' resource page, VoteFactsBlount.com, for Blount County elections. Here, you can view the candidates running for office during May 5 primary for all county positions, county school board districts 1, 3, 5, 7, and Rockford City Commission.
Early Voting April 15-30. Locations.
Sample Ballot.
Take time to learn about the candidates and remember to exercise your right to vote.
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Blount County Job Signing Day is coming up in May and if you'd like to sponsor this exciting event as we celebrate students who are signing on to a job upon graduation due to the time they dedicated to workforce training in high school, now is your chance.
Sponsorship Information
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Do you have questions surrounding your small business? Well, don't fear, the Blount Chamber has created a one-stop small business shop called Blount4Biz.com that provides access points to the many aspects of your operation. Take a look here when you're faced with a puzzling issue. | | | | |
What are My Chamber Benefits and Services? | |
Do you have questions about your Blount Chamber membership or services?
View the membership brochure here.
We also encourage you to reach out to Director of Membership Jessica Hahn to further discuss your membership.
Schedule your meeting today.
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Thank You to Our Sponsors | | | | | |
