News Release: Take advantage and get involved in these things | All are open and free

A quick email with lots of info. We are checking in with members mid-week with some important info and updates that we want to highlight and make sure you know about and participate in. 

Everything below is free and open to EVERYONE. It is important for you to take advantage of these programs and to give feedback, and get involved. 

• COVID Relief
  • Loans for Small Businesses - Apply today, funds are going fast. 
  • Rent and Utility Assistance.
  • Renew Program - Entrepreneur Membership and Support, get in on this while you can. 
  • Propel Program - Small Business Support, join these conversations and collaborations. 
• Education and Professional Growth Opportunities
  • Classroom Connect tomorrow - Join us and hear about “The Voice of the Customer.” 
• Make Your Voice Heard
  • Early Vote and Pride at the Polls - Have you voted yet?..... 
  • Vital Signs Survey - We need your input on a number of issues. We use this report throughout the year to advocate for our members and community. 

Mayoral Relief Announced through Pathway Lending

Mayor John Cooper announced additional financial assistance from the city’s CARES Act allocation for local small businesses and independent music venues who have been financially impacted by COVID-19. Our member, Pathway Lending, is managing this process. A full press release can help provide you with additional information. Apply today.

Rent and Utility Assistance

Are you struggling financially due to COVID-19? Help is available through United Way of Greater Nashville’s funded partners, thanks to funding from Metro CARES. Assistance is available for rent, mortgage, and utilities if you have experienced income loss due to COVID-19, if your household has experienced an increase in water and electric service due to children not being in school, or if you are not able to sustain housing. Visit nashvilleresponsefund.com/individuals or call 2-1-1 for assistance. 

Renew Nashville

Attention entrepreneurs and small business owners: We highly recommend participation in Renew Nashville, a citywide initiative addressing the significant challenges facing entrepreneurs and small businesses negatively impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. Five local nonprofits, Conexión Américas, Nashville Entrepreneur Center, Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, Nashville Business Incubation Center, and Pathway Lending are working together to offer programs and resources to help increase their rate of survival. Learn more about how to apply now.

Propel Cares Act Series

Our partner, the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, introduced a new series to help propel small businesses who have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic. Join the conversation:

Coffee, Content & Conversation: The Art of Collaboration, Thurs. Oct. 22, 9 am

Having Difficulty Getting Access to Capital? Thurs. Oct. 22, 1:30 pm

Register for Tomorrow’s Classroom Connect: The Voice of the Customer

Join us TOMORROW at 11 am for “Classroom Connect: The Voice of the Customer”. In this complimentary webinar, you will learn how to gather critical feedback from your customer and action on the insights to increase retention and sales. This Classroom Connect applies to you if you have customers in the traditional sense, or if to you, “customer” means member, donor, employee, or volunteer. 

Thanks to our sponsor HCA Healthcare/TriStar Health, this webinar is open to both members and non-members free of charge. Register now!

Early Voting

Have you voted yet? Make your voice heard by voting early this election! We hosted Pride at the Polls on the first day of early voting. You can take a look here. Early voting is open until Thursday, October 29th. If you have NOT VOTED yet, get to the polls! You can find polling locations, hours, and dates here. After voting, take a pic and #NashPrideAtThePolls and show your pride in voting. 

Vital Signs Survey

We ask all of our members to complete the Nashville Area Chamber’s annual Vital Signs survey. We have used the findings of this survey in the past to advocate on our policies, please fill it out! 

Vital Signs looks at trends in the workforce, housing, transportation, and growth that impact the Middle Tennessee region. The Vital Sign Survey is one of the few surveys that give policymakers real-time information about what Nashville/Davidson County residents and residents throughout Middle Tennessee are experiencing, which is especially important as we weather COVID-19 and work toward recovery. Take the survey here.

Again, take advantage of and do all these things. Also, let us know what else we can do for you. We have some exciting announcements and opportunities coming out soon. Hang in there and stay healthy. COVID numbers are increasing at very alarming rates!