Newsroom

The Cape Cod Commission recently conducted an economic analysis of Rock Harbor in response to a request from the Town of Orleans. The study aimed to assess the harbor’s contribution to the local economy and to better understand visitor behaviors. Using data collected through business surveys, intercept surveys, cellphone data analysis, and economic modeling, the report sheds light on the harbor’s importance as both a working waterfront and a desirable community destination.  

When creating digital plans, it’s essential to have an accurate representation of the natural and built environment. But how do you achieve that?

These representations of our landscape aren’t just developed on a computer screen—they are digitized versions of the real-world environment of the region. Planimetric data are digital points, lines and polygons representing features on the ground, such as manholes, coastal infrastructure and catch basins, that can be used in geographic information system mapping applications.

The Cape Cod Commission invites the public to attend a Cape Cod Vision Zero Action Plan public meeting to learn more about efforts to eliminate fatalities and serious injury crashes on Cape Cod's roadways. The meetings will provide an overview of the region’s High Injury and High Risk roadway and intersection network and a draft list of potential countermeasures, projects and strategies to reduce serious injury and fatal crashes in our region. Attendees will have an opportunity to provide feedback on potential solutions in their communities as we prepare the Action Plan document later this spring.  

The Cape Cod Commission, Town of Falmouth, and Falmouth Broadband Municipal Light Plant (MLP) have released the Draft Town of Falmouth Municipal Digital Equity Plan for a 30-day public review and comment period.

This Regulatory Update provides a status on projects currently under review by the Cape Cod Commission. Visit www.capecodcommission.org/regulatory for a full overview of our Regulatory program and answers to frequently asked questions.   

Leaders across Cape Cod are embracing Vision Zero principles and committing to prioritizing safety. In February, the Cape Cod Metropolitan Planning Organization and the Barnstable County Board of Regional Commissioners adopted an official Vision Zero goal to eliminate fatalities and serious injuries by 2050 and to reduce fatalities and serious injuries by 50% by 2035. This commitment ensures that Vision Zero principles will be integrated into transportation planning and investment decisions across the region. 

Unanticipated changes to the Clean Water State Revolving Fund’s financing of local wastewater projects have prompted urgent action from local officials. 

Each year, the Cape Cod Commission receives funding through the Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Living Communities to provide technical assistance to towns in our region. The District Local Technical Assistance (DLTA) program helps municipalities with sustainable development and encourages partnerships to achieve planning and development goals that align with state and regional priorities. 

Over the years, DLTA funds have supported housing and wastewater initiatives, studies of redevelopment options and economic development strategies, and targeted local planning and zoning efforts. Four projects received 2025 DLTA funds.

The Cape Cod Commission is pleased to announce the release of the draft Cape Cod Freshwater Strategy, a comprehensive, data-driven plan that defines a path forward for Cape Cod to support healthy, functioning freshwater ecosystems. The draft strategy is available for public comment. Comments will be accepted through Monday, March 17, 2025.

During a meeting held on January 27, 2025, the Cape Cod Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) released the Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2025-2029 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) Amendment 3 for a 21-day public review and comment period.

FFY 2025-2029 TIP Amendment 3 would add a Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Safe Streets for All supplemental planning grant in the amount of $315,000 for the Town of Barnstable to be programmed in FFY 2025. The Town will use these funds to conduct Road Safety Audits at fourteen high-crash locations in Barnstable, a project that supports the ongoing regional safety work of the Vision Zero Action Plan, an initiative under development to improve traffic safety and reduce fatalities and serious injuries region-wide.