| The Lower Cape Cod Community Development Corporation Newsletter |
|
| Community News |
November/December 2007 |
|
|
|
|
Greetings!
Fall is well underway, and we are excited to celebrate some successes, and share new staff, new programs, and upcoming events!
The Last Gasp Bike, Boat 'n Bake took place on an incredibly beautiful Sunday in September. Over 300 riders cruised from Sandwich to Provincetown, raising funds for local nonprofits. We were delighted to have Eastham Selectman Dave Schropfer and CDC Business Builder Client Alice Kuntz of GymKids Gymnastics ride on our behalf. Also - many thanks to Diamond Sponsor Willy's Gym, and Emerald Sponsors Coastal Engineering and the Williams Building Company - we couldn't have done it without you!
We had a great turnout at Annual Meeting - read below to meet our new Board Members. Many thanks to retiring Board Member Lisa Still - your many hours of support are much appreciated!
We are pleased to report that the CDC has been awarded the management of the Wellfleet Housing Rehabilitation Loan, and a rental subsidy program for Wellfleet residents. Also - we have three new staffmembers! Read below to meet Lisa Panacionne, Deb Shell and Wendy Palliser.
As the holidays approach, we are reminded of how important each one of us is in making the Lower Cape Community a success. Please help us to continue our outreach in the community. Become a member and make your voice heard!
Sincerely, Elizabeth Bridgewater
Executive Director |
|
LIVE! Business Builders on the Air
As part of WOMR's "Pledge Week", members of the Lower Cape Cod CDC Staff will be hosting a LIVE edition of Business Builders on the Air on Tuesday, November 27th from 12:30 - 1:00 p.m. on WOMR, 92.1 FM (www.womr.org)
Tune in and learn more about the CDC and its programs and upcoming events.
You can also call in your pledge to support WOMR, a non-profit radio station that supports the Lower Cape community with music and programming.
Pledges can be made by calling 508-487-2619 or 1-800-921-9667. Calls made during the Business Builders on the Air will be announced by CDC staff! |
| New Housing Rehabilitation Programs in Wellfleet and Provincetown!
The Lower Cape Cod Community Development Corporation is pleased to announce that its 2007 Housing Rehabilitation Loan Program is under way for residents in Wellfleet and Provincetown.
The program offers 25 fifteen-year deferred, forgivable loans to income-eligible homeowners in the two towns. The mortgages are available for owner-occupied dwellings to address code, safety and health needs or failures. Income guidelines that apply are set by HUD (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development) according to size of household.
Applications will be processed on a first-come first-served basis. Interested homeowners can call Program Manager Wendy Palliser at 508-240-7873 or 800-220-6202, ext 14.
The loan program is funded by a Small Cities Grant from the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development. The grant was obtained by the Town of Wellfleet as part of the Wellfleet Regional Housing Rehabilitation Loan Program. |
Wellfleet Residents eligible for Rental Subsidies!
A new pilot rental assistance program is being launched by the Wellfleet Housing Authority. Developed in cooperation with the Lower Cape Cod CDC, it is designed to allow Wellfleet families and individuals to maintain affordable year-round housing by ensuring that their monthly rent does not exceed 30 percent of their household's monthly income.
Eligible individuals and families are those who currently live and/or work in Wellfleet, have lived in Wellfleet while attending a local high school, or have close family ties currently living in the town. All qualified applicants will be put on a wait list once existing funds are committed. The deadline for the rental assistance applications is Jan. 11, 2008. After that date, applications will be accepted on a rolling basis and will be processed in the order that they are received.
The rental assistance for eligible households will be provided for one year. If needed, the household may request additional rental assistance for a period not to exceed an additional 12 months. The maximum time period for the rental assistance voucher is two years. The number of households awarded rental assistance will depend on the amount of funds requested by qualified applicants. The housing authority may hold a lottery if the number of qualified applications exceeds the available funds.
Funding for this program was approved at the Nov. 13, 2006 Wellfleet Town Meeting. Wellfleet voters approved $20,000 from Community Preservation Act Funds to provide rental subsidies to tenants who rent year-round units in Wellfleet.
For more information, call Cheryl at the Lower Cape Cod Community Development Corporation at (508) 240-7873, ext 19.
|
| Housing Program Updates:
The CDC's Housing Development Program is moving forward on a number of diverse projects: over 53 units are currently in the pre-development or development stage!
--Balfour Lane Condominiums, Chatham. Countdown to completion!
We are working closely with the contractor to complete the finish work. Potential homeowners have toured the site, and we will soon be ready to schedule closings and a Grand Opening. We'll keep you posted.
--Harwich Main Street Extension. After being awarded the development of the 12 units, we are continuing our pre-development work on the project. This includes meeting the permitting and financing requirements prior to starting construction.
--Harwich Portuguese Men's Club -we are continuing to work with the Men's Club and the Town of Harwich to move forward with development of these units.
For more information on these and other Housing Projects, contact Emily Loomis, Housing Development Manager, at 508-240-7873 x23, or emily@lowercape.org. |
TechSMART is looking for participants!
TechSMART, the project dedicated to training and linking clients in the use of Internet technology, is looking for eligible participants!
If you are a growing micro business and interested in automating your front and back office functions in an integrated manner, this program is for you! With seasonal sales no longer adequate to sustain the increasing cost of year-round residence, this program is giving businesses the tools they need to market to the larger community off the Cape.
TechSMART is the only program of its kind on the Lower Cape that can help you to:
-
Make smarter, faster decisions with real-time business performance data
-
Understand and serve your customers better
-
Attract new customers from which to generate new revenue streams
-
Eliminate business process inefficiencies
-
Enable smart, strategic growth
TechSmart recognizes that each business is unique. Our consultants will perform a 1-on-1, in depth analysis of your business - identifying the tools, strategies, and solutions that work best for you. This analysis will allow us to seek opportunities to streamline your business processes, enhance performance, and increase your bottom line!
Read what our participants have to say:
"I have been praising the TechSMART Program...up and down the Outer Cape..."
I just wanted to tell you how much I love being part of the TechSMART Program and how helpful it has been. So far, I have met with Kristen, Sarah and Peter and each have been wonderful. I look forward to taking part in "Advanced TechSMART"!
This is your opportunity to participate in the TechSMART Program, utilizing integrated technology solutions and effective business strategies to streamline your small business and take it to the next level. Participants are accepted on a rolling basis and based on eligibility. If eligible, one-on-one consulting is free!
For more information and to receive an application: Call Moira Noonan-Kerry, Director of Economic Development, at 508-240-7873 x13
|
|
First Time Homebuyer Education Program
The CDC is pleased to announce that it has received the "Collaborative Seal of Approval" from the Citizens' Housing and Planning Association (CHAPA) to conduct First Time Homebuyer Education Courses.
These courses provide information on budgeting, looking for, selecting, and purchasing a home, and local resources that may be available to buyers. It consists of three, three-hour classes. Participants must attend all three classes to receive their certificates of completion. The certificate may make them eligible for certain homebuyer assistance programs or mortgage products.
Classes are open to any interested individuals or households. A $25 fee will cover materials and refreshments. To be placed on the list for future classes, contact Chris Perry at the Lower Cape Cod CDC. Chris can be reached at 508-240-7873 ext. 22 or by email at chris@lowercape.org.
|
Lisa Panaccione, Business Development Specialist
The Lower Cape Community Development Corporation is pleased to announce that Lisa Panaccione has recently stepped into the position of Business Development Specialist. Ms. Panaccione arrived on the Cape over 20 years ago and brings with her an extensive resume. She has worked for large and small companies, in marketing, customer service, production and inventory control, graphic arts and sales. She currently owns several small businesses along with husband Mike and son Stephen Allen. Lisa can be reached at ext. 25, or lisa@lowercape.org.
Deborah Shell, Property Manager
Deborah Shell, Property Manager, has lived and worked on the Lower Cape for 35 years, and recently joined the Lower Cape Cod CDC after a 10 year career in the field of mental health. Deborah has an undergraduate degree in architecture and architectural history, and has attended numerous workshops on restoration carpentry and woodworking. She has a certificate in residential and restoration carpentry from the Durham Technical Institute and apprenticed at the National Trust for Historic Preservation's restoration workshop in Tarrytown, NY. Deb has worked on the Lower Cape as a licensed, independent contractor for 15 years.
As an owner of affordable residential units on the Cape, Deb understands the impact that the lack of affordable housing has on individuals and families struggling to sustain life on Cape Cod. Deb can be reached at ext. 15.
Wendy Palliser, Housing Rehabilitation Program Manager
After a lifetime of summers in Orleans, Wendy became a year-round resident in 2002 when she returned home from England after 17 years of living, working and raising her family, a son and daughter now both in their twenties.
Wendy's background is in human rights advocacy and education. She spent eleven years on staff at the headquarters of Amnesty International in London, providing invaluable international experience as strategist, campaigner, lobbyist, and trainer. Back home, she has remained committed to addressing social justice issues locally. Wendy is currently the Orleans rep on the Town Representation Council of the Barnstable County Human Rights Commission. Wendy can be reached at ext. 14, or wendy@lowercape.org. |
| Events, Updates and Membership:
Many Thanks to our Business Supporters:
Sovereign Bank: Sovereign Bank recently donated $3,000 to support the CDC's mission to promote a diverse community on the Lower Cape.
TD Banknorth: TD Banknorth donated $20,000 to continue much needed renovations to Canal House, our sober-living facility in Orleans.
Last Gasp Bike, Boat n'Bake a success!
Many thanks to bicyclers Alice Kuntz of GymKids Gymnastics and Eastham Selectman Dave Schropfer who rode 63 miles in beautiful weather from Sandwich to Provincetown to support the CDC! We could not have done it without your participation, or the support of Diamond Sponsor Willy's Gym of Eastham, Orleans and Hyannis, and Emerald Sponsors Coastal Engineering Company, Inc. of Orleans and the Willams Building Company of West Yarmouth.
Upcoming Event:
The CDC is pleased to participate in this exciting event which will take place during the Hyannis Stroll, December 6th and 7th.
Walk down Main Street Hyannis on Dec. 7th and 8th, do some holiday shopping and walk through the Kennedy Museum to see 20 individually -themed Christmas Trees, complete with gifts under the tree! You will have the opportunity to purchase "tree bucks" and bid on the tree of your choice. The lucky winner takes home the decorated tree and gifts!
CDC Annual Meeting and Dinner:
"Working and Living on the Lower Cape" was the theme of this year's Annual Meeting and Dinner which took place at Willy's Gym on Thursday, September 27th.
The CDC was pleased to award the "Gwen Pelletier Award for Excellence in Community Service to the Lower Cape Community" to Ted Malone, President, Community Housing Resource, Inc.
Community Hero Awards were given to: Lisa Hergenrother of the Arts Foundation of Cape Cod: Scott Kerry of Kerry Insurance Agency: Eric Barsness of E.A. Barsness and Company; Posy Cameron and Robert Brothers of Orleans; John O'Reilly of Bennett & O'Reilly and Beverly Ryle of the Center for Career and Business Development.
New CDC Board Members welcomed at the meeting were: Joe Bayne, retired businessman; Chris McPherson of Bank of America; Leslie Richardson from the Cape Cod Commission; Steve Roderick of Roderick's Payroll Services, Dan Sullivan, The Dan Sullivan Trio, and Rod Vyskocil, consultant.
A fond farewell and many thanks to retiring Board Member Lisa Still, Esq. Lisa not only served as a Board Member, but contributed many hours of her time and expertise to the CDC and its programs.
Many thanks to Seamen's Bank for sponsoring this important event, and to the staff of Willy's Gym for ensuring that our event went so smoothly.
Membership: Join the over 300 individuals and businesses who have joined the CDC! Click here to fill out the Membership Form on our Website: CDC Membership.
For more information on these events, please contact Chris Perry, Director of Marketing and Membership Services at 508-240-7873 x22 or chris@lowercape.org.
|
|
Cape and Islands License Plates Benefit the CDC!
Although there are currently 16 speciality plates to choose from when you visit or renew your license place with the RMV, choosing the Cape and Islands License Plate directly benefits the CDC! Visit Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles to order your plate and support housing and economic development on the Lower Cape! |
| Calling all Volunteers!
Our current needs:
The CDC has a number of opportunities available for people to give of their time and talent.
Do you enjoy being a part of exciting events? Writing articles? Using your artistic skills to create eye-catching posters and advertisements?
Or perhaps you would like to join a group of volunteers for an afternoon of preparing materials for mailing?
We would love to talk to you! Contact Chris Perry, Director of Marketing and Membership Services at 508-240-7873 x22 or chris@lowercape.org. We look forward to hearing from you!
|
| In Closing - A Pleased New Markets for Artists Graduate Writes...
"Recently, I completed a seminar through the CDC entitled "New Markets for Artists" facilitated by Oren Sherman and Rick Miller. The seminar brought together a diverse and talented group of individuals whose needs varied for the continuation and success of their artistic journeys. Due to the exceptional, professional expertise of the facilitators, each one of us received a tailored and practical "Action Plan" for targeting our specific market and increasing our financial reward.
This is no easy task for artists whose education did not provide the necessary tools used to advertise themselves and their work. I now use the Internet and the other opportunities that the seminar provided for me with a new found confidence in the arena of commerce.
My seminar experience was a deeply moving and transformational one. It remains to be so as I evolve.
Thanks to all at the CDC for this wonderful opportunity!"
Wendy Olin
| |
|
|
|
