BACC is accepting applications for its 2022 Lauren Brown Memorial Scholarship Awards now through Tuesday, March 15.

The Chamber awards Lauren Brown Memorial scholarships each spring to local high school students pursuing higher education through a university, community college, or vocational/trade certification program.

Eligible students must be from the Barrington area, or the student of an employee at a BACC member business. Scholarships range from $500 to $1,500.

Hear first-hand updates on the State of the Barrington Region at the Virtual Economic Summit on Wednesday, Feb. 9 from 8:30-10:00 am. Panelists have been invited from the villages of Barrington, Barrington Hills, Deer Park, Inverness, Kildeer, Lake Barrington, Long Grove, North Barrington, Port Barrington, South Barrington, and Tower Lakes.

Attendees must register online to receive a zoom link.

Join us for our Mixer of the Month at Hanson Law Group in Barrington. Enjoy a fun round of mini-golf around their office suite, enjoy spirits and appetizers, and meet the BACC networking groups! Bring your golf club for a 9-hole mini-golf course or borrow one and try your skills.

All ladies and gentlemen are invited to join the BACC Women's Biz Net for a Book Club Mixer on Thursday, Feb. 24 from 5:30-7:30 pm at Acosta's Home in Lake Zurich. Enjoy networking, appetizers and drinks, and explore their showroom.

For a copy of the book call the BACC office (supply is limited) at (847) 381-2525 or your local library. Come whether you have read the book or not for networking and lively conversations!

Showcase your business to thousands of website visitors on the BACC Member Marketplace! For just $100 your promotional video will be displayed for a three-month period on the BACC website: www.BarringtonChamber.com. New videos are also shared on BACC social media pages. To learn more email: marketing@barringtonchamber.com.

Space is limited and video placements are reserved on a first-come, first-served basis. Videos must be three minutes or less in length, and will include a link to your business website or social media page. New videos are posted the 1st and 15th of each month. To view the Member Marketplace CLICK HERE.

Gov. Pritzker and the Illinois Dept. of Commerce and Economic Opportunity announced that more than $111 million in relief funds have been distributed to businesses through the Back to Business (B2B) program. Since the program's first round of grantees last September, 2,913 grants totaling more than $111 million have been provided to small businesses in over 300 cities across the state. Businesses will continue to be notified of their application status throughout the next few weeks until all funds are exhausted. For details CLICK HERE.

Small businesses that have borrowed $150,000 or less from the Paycheck Protection Program may be eligible to apply for direct forgiveness through the Small Business Administration using their online portal and following these steps:

For additional information CLICK HERE.

The Cook County Dept. of Public Health has issued a mandate stating that vaccines are required for all patrons of dining, entertainment and fitness facilities in the City of Chicago and suburban Cook County. The mitigation order was issued in response to the current COVID-19 surge of cases and hospitalizations in suburban Cook County. For details CLICK HERE. For additional information provided by the Illinois Restaurant Association CLICK HERE.

COVID-19 vaccine appointments for anyone 5 years and older are now being accepted at Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital, 450 W. Hwy. 22 in Barrington. Booster shots are also available to anyone 12 years and older who received both doses of the Pfizer vaccine five months ago, the Moderna vaccine six months ago or the Johnson & Johnson vaccine two months ago. Those seeking appointments do not need to be patients of the hospital. To schedule an appointment call (866) 443-2584, or CLICK HERE.