Newsroom

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

Whether you're looking for one of the best spots to catch a sunset on Cape Cod, take a chartered fishing boat, grab some local seafood, take a day trip on the water, or spend time on the endless flats of Cape Cod Bay, you can find it all at Rock Harbor in Orleans. Home to a small fleet of local fishing boats, Rock Harbor is a popular spot for locals and visitors arriving by car, foot, or bicycle. Read more to learn how the Commission is working to quantify the economic impact of this iconic location.

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

The Cape Cod Freshwater Initiative is moving forward, with much being accomplished over the past few months. Stakeholder groups, organized by groundwater lens, met three times over the past three months to learn about and share thoughts on the region’s freshwater resources, discuss pond management strategies and priorities, and share ideas for advancing and implementing actions to support pond health.  Stakeholder feedback will inform recommendations and resources that result from the Freshwater Initiative. The final round of stakeholder meetings took place in early June, with groups meeting in Sandwich, Harwich, and Wellfleet. 

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

The Cape Cod Commission has released the draft 2024 Cape Cod Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) for a 21-day public comment period. The CEDS is a five-year strategic plan for economic development on Cape Cod. The plan is updated every five years in collaboration with the Barnstable County Economic Development Council (BCEDC) and local and regional stakeholders. It defines an action plan with priority projects to move Cape Cod's economy toward a sustainable future.   

The Cape Cod National Seashore Federal Advisory Commission met for the first time in more than five years on April 8, 2024 at the Seashore’s Salt Pond Visitor Center in Eastham. While the official charge of the Advisory Commission is to consult with the Secretary of the Interior on matters relating to the development of the Cape Cod National Seashore, including matters of acquisition by condemnation and zoning regulations, it also serves as a liaison between the Seashore administration, the towns within its borders, and the community at large.

Each year, the Cape Cod Commission receives funding through the Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Living Communities (previously the Department of Housing and Community Development) 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.

Stakeholder engagement is a critical component of planning processes, helping to build consensus on impactful recommendations and create actionable plans. Stakeholder engagement to inform the Cape Cod Freshwater Initiative continued in March, with the launch of a process to engage diverse perspectives in working groups organized by groundwater lenses.

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