Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS)

What is the CEDS?

CEDS is a regional planning process focusing on economic development. The CEDS process results in a five-year strategic plan for regional economic development that is updated annually. The report is submitted to the US Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA) for review and certification. Once the CEDS report is certified, the region and the towns therein may apply to receive funding assistance for public works, planning, and technical assistance projects related to economic development.

Who participates in the CEDS planning process?

The CEDS planning process is open to individuals and organizations interested in the long-term development of economic opportunity on Cape Cod. The Cape Cod Commission, as the regional planning agency, leads the CEDS planning process, while the Barnstable County Economic Development Council serves as the CEDS Strategy Committee. Municipalities, local chambers of commerce, school districts, and private businesses all participate in the planning process. Central to the process, however, are the numerous regional organizations involved in economic development, which include:

• Barnstable County:
  • Cape Cod Commission
  • Cape Cod Economic Development Council
  • Cape Cod Water Protection Collaborative
  • Cape Light Compact
• Arts Foundation of Cape Cod
• Association to Preserve Cape Cod - Business Roundtable
• Cape & Islands Renewable Energy Collaborative (CIREC)
• Cape & Islands Workforce Investment Board
• Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce
• Cape Cod Commercial Hook Fisherman's Association
• Cape Cod Community College
• Cape Cod Technology Council
• Cape Cod Young Professionals Association
• Coastal Community Capital (a.k.a., Cape & Islands Community Development, Inc.)
• Community Development Partnership (a.k.a., lower Cape Cod Community Development Corporation)
• Housing Assistance Corporation
• Massachusetts Maritime Academy
• Regional Technology Development Center

What is included in the CEDS Reports?

There are two types of CEDS reports: the five-year update and the interim annual reports. The detailed five-year CEDS report includes the following:

1. THE PLANNING PROCESS: A description of the CEDS Regional Planning Process
2. THE ANALYSIS: A comprehensive review of region's economic development challenges and opportunities
3. THE VISION: An outline of the region's economic development vision, goals and objectives
4. THE ACTION PLAN: A description of the major economic development initiatives throughout the region
5. THE EVALUATION: A plan for measuring the quality of economic development activities in the region and the region's progress in meeting specific priorities and the overall CEDS vision and goals.

During the interim years, the CEDS planning team prepares annual reports to track the region's progress in meeting its economic development goals and document any changes in either regional conditions or the plan itself. Annual reports include the following sections:

1. ADJUSTMENT TO THE CEDS: Description of any changes in the CEDS planning process, structure, or strategy
2. ACTIVITIES EVALUATION: Description of year's activities, including quantitative and qualitative measures of their success, and an outcome evaluation of each activity.
3. GOALS EVALUATION: Analysis of overall progress toward meeting regional goals using quantitative and qualitative measures
4. IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE: Timeline identifying priority activities for the upcoming year and when they will be implemented

Who should I contact about CEDS?

Please feel free to contact Leslie Richardson (lrichardson@capecodcommission.org), the Economic Development Officer for the Cape Cod Commission and staff coordinator for the CEDS, at any time.