Locally Owned Murfreesboro President Missy Lay made a surprise announcement at the 2021 Light Up Local Firefly Awards, held with a limited audience Tuesday night, May 11 at The Walnut House.
During the closing of the 4th annual Firefly Awards, Lay said membership in Locally Owned Murfreesboro is now free for any business with a Murfreesboro address that registers with its website.
“Local, independent businesses matter to Murfreesboro because they represent family and community. If you buy a sandwich at a local restaurant, it puts food on their table as well,” Lay said.
That’s one reason why Locally Owned Murfreesboro is opening up membership for free.
“Over the past year, we have seen independent business struggle for their survival. We wanted to do something to help. Following in our mission to help support and sustain local, independent businesses we decided to open up our membership for free,” Lay explained. “Because Murfreesboro Matters.”
Starting May 1, membership in Locally Owned Murfreesboro is now free to all independent businesses and locally owned franchises with a Murfreesboro address.
To become a member, all you have to do is register on the LOM website, LocallyOwnedMurfreesboro.org, Lay explained.
Once businesses register with their basic information, they will be added to LOM’s business directory on LocallyOwnedMurfreesboro.org. Basic membership includes a listing on the LOM website and discounted admission fees to LOM networking and Local Learning events. For an additional fee of $50, businesses can join at the premium level. Premium membership includes benefits, like free admission to LOM networking and Local Learning events, as well as an added link to their websites and their logos in the website listing.
Lay said she hopes this change in business increases LOM’s impact on the community and furthers its true purpose of encouraging the community to support local businesses.
“We want to be the local equivalent to Google for independent businesses in Murfreesboro,” she said. “Want to find a locally owned restaurant to try or need a trusted dog groomer? Look at our membership. We can even recommend insurance agents, accountants and spas.”
