Say you’re at the library and you want to take the kids to lunch when you’re done. How do you find out what restaurants are nearby and how to get to one of them? What if you have a flat tire and need to get your car to the nearest repair shop? Do you have a quick way of finding one that is within a few minutes driving time? Coming soon to a mobile phone near you is an app that will do those things and more.
About six months ago, the Fuquay-Varina Chamber of Commerce was looking for a way to digitize its membership directory of local businesses when it ran across a mobile app development company that specializes in creating mobile apps for chambers that appeal to the entire community. Intrigued, the Chamber’s marketing committee began to explore it as a possible replacement for its business directory AND as a way to make its business members more accessible to Fuquay-Varina residents.
In late September, the Chamber began development on the app in earnest and has selected a wide variety of features that are sure to appeal to residents and visitors alike. The app is quickly becoming a great tool for residents, business owners and professionals, and those visiting Fuquay-Varina either for vacation or with an eye on relocating to our fair city.
Called “GO Fuquay-Varina,” or “GO > FV,” the app is intuitive and engaging – prompting the user to dial down into the depths of the app and discover all the treasures within. People will find a large number of community attractions and activities, contact information for businesses and organizations in and near Fuquay-Varina, and dozens of loyalty or passport programs that can be used to earn free products and services. The options will be endless and the tools will be creative.
Business owners are going to be able to reach out to residents based on location. Anyone with the app on their phone can choose to receive notifications on specials from local businesses or on events happening in that location at that time. Businesses will be able to post specials in their listings and will be able to offer loyalty programs that give free product based on the number of visits to their store.
Residents will be able to look up businesses based on several categories, such as food establishments, shopping opportunities, professional services, things to do, and community-based organizations like churches, schools, and nonprofits. Other services will be a community calendar and a list of all the major events in Fuquay-Varina by date. Residents will be able to explore the arts through a special button dedicated to the Fuquay-Varina Arts Council’s activities, and all the latest downtown development news will be available to app users. Access to both the Town’s and Chamber’s websites will round out the available information and make it a comprehensive resource for town and community information.
Visitors to our community will be able to download the GO > FV app and be able to locate activities for all age groups, great places to eat and shop, accommodations, and upcoming events. The Chamber hopes that prospective residents will be able to use the app to find their way around town and check out all the great reasons to move to Fuquay-Varina. Tourists will be able to use many of the same features to explore the area and really get a taste of everything the southern Wake County region has to offer.
The mobile app will be a completely free service to the community. The development costs of the app have been defrayed by several sponsors. Four Oaks Bank has stepped up as the presenting sponsor, or “Powered by” sponsor. The Fuquay-Varina Downtown Development Office and the Fuquay-Varina Arts Council have also sponsored the app. The remaining funds for the development phase of the project have been raised from Chamber member businesses featured in the app. The Chamber has been proud to partner with all of these great businesses in the development of this community resource.
The goal for launch is December of this year. Be on the lookout for contests and promotions for downloading GO > FV in December and January!
