Newsroom

Commission staff recently presented the Year One CEDS Annual Report to the Barnstable County Economic Development Council (BCEDC), detailing the region’s progress on the 2024-2029 CEDS. Highlights from the first year include efforts that support zoning reform, climate planning, infrastructure investment, housing incentives, and broadband expansion. 

A status on projects currently under review by the Cape Cod Commission.

The Cape Cod Commission is in the process of updating the 2018 Regional Policy Plan (RPP), which provides regional planning which provides regional planning policies, goals, and objectives to guide development and protect the Cape’s unique natural, built, and community resources. As part of this planning process, the Commission partnered with the Donahue Institute at UMass Amherst to conduct a resident survey designed to better understand public perspectives on local and regional planning challenges. Survey results are now available.

More than $105 million is flowing to wastewater projects across Cape Cod, marking a major investment in protecting the region’s environment and water resources. The Cape Cod and Islands Water Protection Fund (CCIWPF) Management Board voted on April 29, 2025, to award $105,497,500 in subsidies to fourteen projects across ten Cape Cod towns.

The Cape Cod Commission will launch a comprehensive study to evaluate the use of tiered water rate structures as a tool to promote water conservation across the region. This effort is supported by a $44,332 Drought Resiliency and Water Efficiency Grant awarded by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs. 

A status on projects currently under review by the Cape Cod Commission.

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.  

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.   

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.