Want a deal? Download this app now

If you’d like to keep up with what’s happening in the Heights, including getting some pocket-friendly deals along the way, the Peoria Heights Chamber of Commerce has a new mobile app available for free download.

“We kind of came up with this idea because we’d been approached by several local businesses struggling with marketing outreach,” said Steven Cook, the Chamber Board president. Many were spending a fair amount of money on Facebook ads regarding special events, sales, loyalty rewards, etc., and “not getting anywhere with it,” he said.

Chamber officials looked around and noticed that many metropolitan areas have tourism apps centered around local businesses, said Cook, who thought the Heights was particularly well situated to get one of its own, especially with its active dining scene bringing so many people to the community. The app not only seeks to connect residents and visitors with local businesses, it also helps keep people up to date on community news and events including those at Tower Park, serves as a guide to amenities such as the Village’s abundant hiking and biking trails, and links the locals to Village government services and announcements, he said.

The Peoria Heights Mobile App is a collaborative effort between the Chamber and the Village of Peoria Heights, which put $30,000 toward its development by Peoria-based Swarm Digital Solutions. It was launched at the end of May and within a week or so already had more than 700 downloads from as far away as Portugal, said Heights Trustee Elizabeth Khazzam. The app is available at the Apple App and Google Play stores.

The app uses “geofencing technology,” which establishes a virtual boundary around a real-world geographic area, said Cook. By tapping into the likes of GPS, Wi-Fi or other cellular data, the system can determine when a connected device such as a cell phone crosses into a specific neighborhood, triggering its activation. It’s a great way for businesses to provide incentives to potential customers – say, with the offer of a free appetizer with the purchase of a couple entrées or whatever – and one more reason for those patrons to stop on by, and perhaps stay a little longer, said Cook.

“We’ve far exceeded our expectations” so far, said Cook. “It’s fantastic.”

Meanwhile, in another plus, the Chamber has partnered with Peoria Heights High School to give up to eight students real-world work experience as they deal with certain aspects of app management and maintenance, regularly interact with business owners, contend with digital content, recruit future customers and get paid for all of it, said Cook. The work follows three months of pretty extensive training. A private donation is covering it all.

“They’ll be far more prepared for careers when they hit the work force” full-time someday, said Cook. “These kids have absolutely killed it. They’ve done an amazing job so far.”