The Economic Developers Council of Ontario (EDCO) along with Canadian Urban Institute (CUI) are thrilled to announce that through their collaborative program, My Main Street, they are providing the GooseChase digital scavenger hunt platform for free to groups across southern Ontario. This platform will be available through March 2023.

GooseChase is a digital scavenger hunt platform that enables hosts to create digital “scavenger hunts” or “missions” in their community. Each GooseChase game is a collection of missions for participants to complete and earn points. Hosts can make their own or chose from the library of 100+ pre-built missions. GooseChase missions can be anything from taking a photo in front of a favorite local shop or a local landmark to attending a local event and so much more. GooseChase participants simply download the app and start playing or “completing missions” to earn participants points and compete for prize.

This fun and interactive tool provides hosts with everything needed to engage, activate, and attract more visitors and customers to your main street or local event. Create a scavenger hunt to enhance shop local / visit local programming, as a stand-alone to bring people together while supporting your local main street!

My Main Street is a $23.25-million investment from the Government of Canada, through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), to help drive business and restore vibrancy to local communities across southern Ontario in the aftermath of COVID-19. The partnership between EDCO and CUI is providing resources and support to help businesses and communities revitalize main streets.

Eligible southern Ontario groups

The following is a list of southern Ontario groups eligible to access GooseChase under the My Main Street license. Please confirm southern Ontario location eligibility using this map and list. (*please note those located in the City of Toronto are not eligible*)

• Municipalities
• Business Improvement Areas
• Small Business Enterprise Centers
• Economic Development Agencies
• Small Locally Owned and Operated Businesses
• Regional Innovation Centre's
• Not-for-profit groups
• Libraries
• Art Galleries
• Museums

To get started and for the next steps, please visit the My Main Street GooseChase webpage or contact us.

Quotes

“EDCO is proud to be able to offer our members throughout the province another tool for promoting their communities. The GooseChase app offers a wide range of opportunities and tools for our creative economic developers to engage their community members and visitors to explore Ontario throughout 2022 and into 2023.”

• Robert Nolan, President, Economic Developers Council of Ontario (EDCO)

“The Canadian Urban Institute is thrilled to partner with GooseChase on this innovative initiative to restore the vibrancy of main street neighborhoods. This made-in-Ontario digital platform will increase foot traffic, strengthen community bonds and spur economic recovery.”

• Jared Kolb, Program Director, My Main Street

Quick Facts

• EDCO provides leadership to enhance the professional development of its members; advance economic development as a profession and support municipalities in fostering economic prosperity in the province of Ontario.
• CUI works with city-building professionals to create programs and initiatives, research and develop policies to promote best practices in urban development.

Associated Links

• My Main Street
• Economic Developers Council of Ontario
• Canadian Urban Institute
• GooseChase
• FedDev Ontario

Contacts

Kelsey Harrison, Marketing Manager, My Main Street <[email protected]>

Nick Hanson, Communications Lead, Canadian Urban Institute <[email protected]>

About My Main Street

My Main Street is a $23.25-million investment by the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario to support the recovery and revitalization of main streets and local businesses in southern Ontario. The Canadian Urban Institute and the Economic Developers Council of Ontario have partnered to deliver My Main Street through two program streams. Learn more at www.mymainstreet.ca.

About FedDev Ontario

For more than 12 years, the Government of Canada, through FedDev Ontario, has worked to advance and diversify the southern Ontario economy through funding opportunities and business services that support innovation, growth and job creation in Canada’s most populous region. The Agency has delivered impressive results, which can be seen in southern Ontario businesses that are creating innovative technologies, improving productivity, growing revenues, creating jobs, and in the economic advancement of communities across the region. Learn more about the impacts the Agency is having in southern Ontario by exploring our pivotal projects, our Southern Ontario Spotlight, and FedDev Ontario’s Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.