Mobile app to offer information about northern Fox Valley businesses

The Northern Kane County Chamber of Commerce is launching a new mobile app that leaders hope will give local businesses better exposure.

Through the app, users can locate, contact and find information about chamber members, which includes businesses from Carpentersville, East Dundee, West Dundee, Sleepy Hollow and Gilberts, President Melissa Hernandez said.

It also allows people to directly request a bid from one specific business or all area businesses under a certain category.

"Websites and mobile websites are great, but people are looking for more immediate access to information," Hernandez said. "This will give it to them."

In addition to listing networking and business-related events hosted by the chamber, the app also allows local municipalities to post upcoming community events and activities, Hernandez said. Users can then sign up for push notifications to receive updates about the events specific to their interests.

Additionally, business owners can use the app to find information about a village's code, ordinances, permit process and economic development contact person, she said.

"It's a good resource for the community, but it's also a really good resource for businesses," Hernandez said. "We think it'll be a huge benefit for our businesses."

The app, which has been developed over the last few months, goes live this week and can be downloaded for free, Hernandez said. In a push to gain followers, a formal launch for the app will take place Saturday during the chamber's second annual Northern Kane Fest on the Fox event.

The chamber plans to maintain a list of residents, organizations and villages that use and contribute to the app and analyze its success after several months, Hernandez said.

"We'll track (the app's use) to make sure it is a benefit for our residents," she said. "We want to see what desire or need there is for this resource."