Newsroom

Cape Cod’s housing crisis requires bold action to implement creative and collaborative solutions. One approach being explored is the creation of a housing land bank and community land trust to help address the region’s housing needs.   

The Cape Cod Commission will soon begin a study investigating potential safety improvements along Route 6A. Working with the Towns of Bourne, Sandwich, Barnstable, Yarmouth, Dennis, Brewster, Orleans, Truro, and Provincetown, the Commission will conduct a two-year visioning study along Route 6A to better understand the issues with safety and restrictive improvements. Staff will also work with MassDOT to review existing conditions, including crash history, speed limits, and multi-modal accommodations.

Since its launch in 2022, the Cape Cod Commission’s Freshwater Initiative has made significant strides. This science-based, information-driven planning process is designed to promote actionable steps to protect and restore Cape Cod’s freshwater resources. Commission staff is set to finalize a draft strategy, outlining recommendations and implementation plans, later this calendar year. While efforts such as the Regional Pond Monitoring Program and remote sensing project will continue, data and findings inform articulation of the region’s freshwater challenges, as well as recommendations and priorities. The strategy will be complemented by resources to support implementation, such as a water quality data portal and pond buffer guidelines, both of which are currently in development.  

The Cape Cod Commission has launched its review of the 2018 Regional Policy Plan (RPP), a document that provides regional planning policies and objectives to guide development and protect the region’s resources. The Regional Policy Plan serves as a blueprint for Cape Cod's future, outlining strategies to manage growth, protect natural resources, and promote economic resilience.

The Cape Cod Commission is developing a Vision Zero Action Plan for Cape Cod to identify and eliminate fatalities and serious injuries from vehicle crashes for pedestrians, bicyclists, transit users, and drivers. A series of public meetings designed to educate and inform the public about the plan and gather feedback will take place in November.

The Town of Barnstable is working with the Cape Cod Commission to develop a municipal digital equity plan to assess the digital divide across the community and to identify opportunities to advance digital equity. 

Residents, businesses, and organizations are invited to attend an upcoming event to learn about the digital equity plan and contribute to the development of the plan through group exercises and conversations.  Discussion topics will include internet availability, affordability, and reliability; technology and devices necessary for civic, social, and economic life; and skills to participate safely, confidently, and effectively online. 

The Cape Cod Commission, on behalf of the Barnstable County Commissioners and the Barnstable County Economic Development Council, is seeking proposals from local or regional governmental or nonprofit agencies for projects that support the area’s economic resiliency and advance the goals and actions of the 2024 Cape Cod Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS).  

Earlier this month we welcomed more than four hundred people from Cape Cod, the Commonwealth, and beyond to the Wychmere Beach Club for our 10th annual OneCape. We had an exciting lineup of keynote speakers, breakout sessions, mobile workshops, and plenty of networking and connecting opportunities. With passionate and knowledgeable speakers and attendees, the summit undoubtedly left us all feeling inspired to take on the important work that lies ahead.

Strategies to adapt to the impacts and mitigate the causes of climate change took center stage at OneCape 2024, with speakers highlighting the state's ambitions for growing the climate tech sector and reaching net zero. 

This year, the Cape Cod Commission recognized four Cape Codders for their outstanding contributions to the community. We were pleased to honor Dorothy Savarese, Dan Wolf, Senator Susan Moran, and State Representative Sarah Peake.