Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce - eCapeChamber
Economic Development

A breakdown of Cape Cod’s economic base shows that tourism is its largest segment, representing 43%. Retirement represents the next largest segment with 15.3%, which when combined with tourism represents two-thirds of the jobs in Barnstable County. These two industries are extremely compatible as what generally serves and attracts the visitor also serves and attracts the retiree.

The Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce, however, is about more than tourism. After extensive market research, industry capacity analysis and community capacity and unemployment concerns, the Chamber adopted a new program of work. Recognizing that all economies are regional, five major issues were addressed in addition to tourism that affected residents and businesses across the peninsula. The five areas are:

• Growing entrepreneurial activity
• Smart growth
• Affordable housing
• Access to child care and family support services
• Public transportation amenities

Still, tourism remains an important part of our economic development.
By fine-tuning we are better able to serve and protect those Cape
Codders who make their livelihood in this important industry - one
which offers a lucrative career path.

Economic Development News

Barnstable iForum:  Click here to join Barnstable iForum, a new "virtual town hall" designed to get the ideas of Barnstable residents about issues and topics happening in town!

December 21, 2011: 3.25% Fixed Interest Rate Business Loans available to eligible Town of Barnstable businesses in need of debt refinancing, working capital, or the acquisition of machinery or equipment. Click here to learn more!

Click here to watch video of the November 16th Business Connect event on Cape Cod!

October 28, 2011: The U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington, D.C. rules in Town of Barnstable's favor in its action against the FAA
 
October 12, 2011: Cape Cod Healthcare is pleased to announce that Blanche and Joel D. Seifer of North Falmouth have provided a $1 million leadership gift to support women’s imaging services at Falmouth Hospital. Click here to read more.

October 11, 2011: Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce Appoints Entrepreneur in Residence

The MA Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs releases the Massachusetts Climate Change Adaptation Report 

Massachusetts Internship Collaborative: Massachusetts and Experience team up to offer college students a state-wide Massachusetts based internship search engine.

OpenCape Updates: Read the latest OpenCape blog entry to track the progress on this important project, which will result in a robust, high capacity communications infrastructure for the region.

October 2010: Groundbreaking expected soon on new Forestdale Village

September 23, 2010: Commercial Realty Advisors, Inc. announces the launch of their new website at www.comrealty.net

August 2010: "New hires at Shepley Wood Products show young people going off to college and returning to work on Cape Cod"

August 16, 2010: "Cape Medical Supply Adds 5,000 Square Foot Distribution and Patient Service Center to Service Greater Boston"

July 23, 2010: "Senator John Kerry, U.S. Congressman Bill Delahunt and Senate President Therese Murray Join Marine Biological Laboratory to Celebrate Loeb Laboratory Renovation"

July 8, 2010: "Cape’s Two Hospitals Earn Numerous Quality and Patient Safety Accolades"

March 2, 2010: The non-profit OpenCape Corporation was notified by the U.S. Department of Commerce that it has been awarded $32 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Broadband Technology Opportunity Program (BTOP) funds to construct a 350 mile fiber optic network, wireless microwave network, and regional data center. The $32 million BTOP grant will be combined with matching funds totaling $8 million from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, RCN Metro Optical Networks, and Barnstable County to construct a comprehensive middle mile network to support the economic, educational, public safety, and governmental needs of the southeast Massachusetts region. The open access, vendor neutral middle mile network will connect over 60 anchor institutions on Cape Cod and the Islands of Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket. Click here for more information.

December 4, 2009: The Town of Barnstable has been singled out in a national publication for its Smart Growth initiatives! Congratulations to the Growth Management Department under the direction of Jo Anne Miller Buntich, whose efforts were recognized in Smart Growth for Coastal and Waterfront Communities. This highlight recognizes Barnstable’s efforts to develop a strategy for Hyannis that encourages growth in an urban center. 

Click here to view the findings of the 2008 Survey of Cape Cod Second-Home Owners.

"Cape Cod Healthcare breaks ground on new Ambulatory Complex"  9/3/09, WickedLocal.com