BLC customer appreciation day Friday

October is Cooperative Month and Ben Lomand Connect is celebrating by offering free food and gifts during its customer appreciation day Friday, Oc.t 9 from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Cooperative Month has been celebrated nationally each October since U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Orville Freeman established the observance in 1964 to recognize the impact of cooperatives across agriculture, energy, housing and food sectors. The month is set aside to recognize the cooperative business model in which organizations are owned and governed by their members in an attempt to strengthen communities, support local economies and provide essential services.

Ben Lomand Connect is using October to celebrate not only its members but also the seven principles of cooperatives: Voluntary and open membership; democratic member control; member economic participation; autonomy and independence; education, training and information; cooperation among cooperatives and concern for community.

BLC, which celebrated its 72nd birthday last week, will hold customer appreciation day at its McMinnville office at 311 N. Chancery St. as well as its other locations in Tracy City, Manchester, Sparta and Crossville. Free hot dogs, chips, cookies and drinks will be available and free lantern flashlights will be given to attendees as supplies last.

“Customer appreciation day is one of our favorite opportunities to say thank you to the people who make Ben Lomand Connect possible — our customers and the communities we serve," BLC GM/CEO Greg Smartt said. "As we celebrate Cooperative Month and 72 years in business, we’re reminded that our success has always been built on local relationships, trust and service. We are incredibly grateful for the generations of customers who have supported this cooperative, and we look forward to serving our communities for many decades to come.”

Until next time, the Beat goes on

As Ben Lomand Connect takes time to thank its customers, the Main Street Journal would like to extend its thanks to Ben Lomand Connect for its service to the community and its sponsorship of Biz Beat.

Send your local business news, questions, tips and suggestions to seth.wright@mainstreetmedia.llc.