The Knoxville Chamber today held its annual meeting to discuss the challenges and successes facing the Chamber and the Knoxville business community.

Click here to read the text of Hamilton’s speech at the meeting.

Click here for the chart of economic development impact of consumer spending in Knox County, referenced in Hamilton’s speech.

The Knoxville Chamber recently announced the development of the Green Business Recognition Program to celebrate members that have implemented efforts to conserve energy and reduce waste. By recognizing businesses efforts to go green, the Chamber hopes to encourage and inspire other businesses to implement these simple, cost effective, green steps.

To apply for the Green Business Recognition Program visit: http://www.knoxvillechamber.com/greenapp.html.

Back-to-school time and September’s “College Savings Month” are always great reminders that it is never too late to late to get started on putting Tennessee kids on the right path to college. That’s also why the State of Tennessee has formed a new partnership with Georgia to endorse the tax-advantaged Path2College 529 Plan offered by the state of Georgia...

The Office of Career Services will host its 8th Annual Part-Time Student Employment Job Fair on August 27, 2008 from 10 AM - 3PM at the University Center. If your business would like to participate, please register by Monday, August 18, 2008. Space is limited so register as soon as possible by visiting http://utk-csm.symplicity.com/events/2008pjf

WATERBURY, VERMONT (August 1, 2008) – Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc. (NASDAQ: GMCR), today announced it has chosen Knox County, Tennessee as the future home of a new manufacturing and distribution facility for the Green Mountain Coffee segment. The Company has closed on the purchase of a 334,000 square foot building on a 31 acre parcel of land in Knox County for approximately $10.4 million. The new site will support the brand’s national expansion and continued growth in the single-cup business.