The Business Retention program at the Knoxville Chamber is an important part of our regional economic development plan. The program meets one on one with businesses in the Knoxville area helping them identify ways to grow through the use of no- and low-cost programs. For more information or to refer a business for a visit contact Kyle Touchstone.

Some of the programs and services available include:

• Access to capital & incentives
• Business strengthening programs
• Utility efficiencies
• Job training resources
• Finding the right employees

Access to capital & incentives

• State of Tennessee Economic Development Incentives
• TVA Economic Development Financial Resources
• Local Incentives
• Tennessee Technology Development Corporation Venture Funding
• Pathway Lending Small Business Loans & Energy Efficiency Loans

Business strengthening programs

• Tennessee Small Business Development Center
• UT Center for Industrial Services
• Pellissippi State Community College Business & Community Services
• Knoxville U.S. Export Assistance Center
• Tennessee Solar Institute
• Tennessee Drug Free Workplace
• Government contracts/procurement assistance

Utility efficiencies

• TVA Green Power Switch and Generation Partner Programs
• Tennessee Small Business Energy Loan Program
• Tennessee Clean Energy Grant
• TVA Energy Audit
• Knoxville Utilities Board Energy Audit
• City of Knoxville Office of Sustainability

Job training resources

• Tennessee Fast Track Job Training Assistance Program
• Incumbent Worker Training Program
• Knox County Manufacturing Skills Grant
• UT Center for Industrial Services
• Pellissippi State Community College
• Tennessee Technology Center-Knoxville

Finding the right employees

• Tennessee Career Center
• University of Tennessee Career Services
• Pellissippi State Community College Placement Services Office
• Career Readiness Certificate

Mining & Matching Program

Technology Mining & Matching (TMM) is a partnership program of the Knoxville Chamber, the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, managed by UT-Battelle, the University of Tennessee, and BWXT Y-12. The program also maintains close ties to the Navy Best Manufacturing Practices Center of Excellence, National Institute fo r Metalworking Skills, National Defense Industrial Association, and the Society of Manufacturing Engineers.

TMM provides one-on-one visits, referrals, presentations, latest industry news, e-sharing and networking in order to meet the needs of local industries for new products, processes, equipment, training and ideas to grow business.

For more information or for assistance with identifying a manufacturing or technology need, contact Sam Hart at the Knoxville Chamber at 865.637.4550 or shart@knoxvillechamber.com.  

PROPEL

The PROPEL program is a resource to small business owners. Through counseling, mentorships, and government procurement programs, PROPEL can help small and minority businesses succeed.

For more information about the program click here or contact Doug Minter.