March 2014

A Note from Jay

Celebrating Our 23rd Annual Meeting

One of the highlights of the CDP's Annual Meeting each year is the presentation of the Gwen Pelletier Award for Excellence in Community Service, as it gives us the chance to celebrate the incredible contributions made by the award winner to our community. At this year's Meeting on April 2nd, we'll be recognizing Jari Rapaport, who is stepping down from the CDP Board after 18 years of service. A resident of Eastham, Jari has been deeply involved with the League of Women Voters and has been a strong voice for the importance of more affordable homes on the Lower Cape.

Additionally, this year the CDP will present the first award for Excellence in Entrepreneurship. The Award was created to recognize a former or current CDP client who has been in business on the Lower Cape for at least five years, created jobs and has an established community connection either through social responsibility, environmental sustainability, volunteer time or financial contributions. For the inaugural award, we are delighted to honor Sanette Groenewald, Chef and Owner of Karoo Kafe and Karoo Restaurant. Sanette started her Provincetown establishment twelve years ago with a micro loan from the CDP. Her second location, in Eastham, opened last spring to rave reviews.

We will also launch the CDP's new Advisory Council, a distinguished group of 50+ community leaders who are invested in our success. And we'll hear from three individuals who have benefited from the CDP's programs and services as we unveil our Community Investment Plan.

Please join us at the Orleans Waterfront Inn on Wednesday, April 2 at 5:30 PM. You can learn more and purchase tickets by clicking here. I look forward to seeing you in a few weeks.

As always, thank YOU for your support and interest.

Thank You to Annual Meeting Sponsors:

Affordable Homes

The Affordability Gap

Thankful Chases Pathway, Harwich

Many of us are aware of the acute need for more affordable home ownership and rental opportunities on the Cape. However, a recent report released by the National Low Income Housing Coalition, for Barnstable County demonstrates just how critical the need for affordable rental homes is. According to the "Out of Reach" report, in order for a wage earner to afford a fair market 2 BR apartment at $1,267 per month and only spend 30% of their wages on rent and utilities, that worker must work 40 hours per week at $24.37 per hour. Unfortunately, the average worker makes only $8.00 per hour, requiring a 122 hour work week to afford the same apartment. The report, a copy of which is available by clicking here, suggests the ever increasing importance of ensuring that all members of our community have access to affordable, safe and stable year round housing.

Business Development

Fishing Season 2014 Kicks Off

Aboard Fishing Vessel Sea Hunter, Provincetown, MA

In collaboration with the Cape Cod Fisheries Trust, the CDP helped to launch the 2014 scallop fishing season last month by managing the lease of 151,250 lbs. of scallop quota. The quota, with a market value of $605,000, was leased to 16 Lower Cape scallop fishermen. From a quota bank established by the Trust, quota is leased each year to local scallop fishermen at half the market rate.These affordable leases supplement other quota owned by the fishermen and provide them an opportunity to strengthen their businesses through increased earnings. In addition, CDP staff provides business technical assistance to the fishermen participating in the Trust. The technical assistance provides the latest tools, approaches and expert advice on how fishermen can increase their efficiency and profitability, as well as how to navigate state and federal regulations. "The CDP really understands the reports that we get from the National Marine Fisheries and takes the time to really dig in and help us verify the data," says S. Rorro, F/V Sea Hunter. Read more about our work with the Cape Cod Fisheries Trust.

Sustainability

Local Chamber Leads by Example

One of the newly verified Cape & Islands Green organizations
is the Eastham Chamber of Commerce. Through

verification they have committed to operating

practices that reduce their impact on the environment, and are providing leadership by responding to the growing trend of consumers wanting to patronize environmentally responsible businesses. Eastham Chamber President, Jim Russo, commented, "The Eastham Chamber of Commerce wants to make a change, whether locally or globally, and can demonstrate far more credibility w

hen we lead by example rather than by theory. The fact of the matter is that the Eastham Chamber had already been doing so many of the things that were needed to be Green verified that the remaining steps were quite simple to execute." Jim goes on to say, "What we found to be particularly rewarding is that while before we were doing our bit to save the earth, now we also find ourselves legitimately associated with an emerging and quickly expanding new market that prefers supporting environmentally responsible businesses. Cape & Islands Green has had a positive effect on the Eastham Chamber of Commerce, its community and also on an extended consumer base that it attracts to its member businesses."

Upcoming Events

Cape & Islands Green on the Lower Cape

Join us to learn about sustainable business practices that reduce energy costs, conserve resources and improve your business's bottom line! At this workshop you'll receive an overview of the process, as well as the benefits to becoming Cape & Islands Green verified.

When: Tuesday, April 8th from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Where: CDP Conference Room
Register: capecdp.org
More Information: Contact Pam at 508-240-7873 x18 or by email .

First Time Home Buyer Education

Title Sponsor

If you're thinking about buying you're first home, think about taking our First Time Home Buyer Course. Learn about: credit health, budgeting, home inspection, home energy audits and insurance protection. Class graduates are also eligible to access affordable mortgage products, like the SoftSecond, a low-interest, low down payment mortgage with a fixed rate.

When: 4/10/14 6pm - 8pm, 4/15/14 6pm - 9pm, 4/17/14 6pm - 9pm

Where: CDP Conference Room

Register: capecdp.org

More Information: Contact Andrea at 508-240-7873 x22 or by email.

How to Be a Non-Starving Artist
Selling Your Artwork!

If you're an Artist and you want to know how to
sell

more of your work, join this well- rounded panel of business and art experts as they share tips and advice. The panel

including, CDP's Sheila Hoogeboom; Artist - Rick Fleury; and Audrey Parent of Left Bank Gallery will share their stories and provide tips on how to prepare your work for a gallery, dealer or retail store. The class is part of Wellfleet Blossoms.

When: Saturday, April 19th 1-3 PM

Where: Wellfleet Preservation Hall - 335 Main Street, Wellfleet

Register: capecdp.org

More Information: Contact Andrea at 508-240-7873 x22 or by email.

Radio Show

Tune In to This Place Matters

92.1 WOMR & 91.3 WFMR

Wednesdays 12:30pm

Also on Lower Cape TV

Join host Susan Lindquist & her guests for a lunchtime
talk about life on the Lower Cape.

March 19th: Pam Andersen, the CDP's Business & Credit Program Manager and Andy Fingado of Conwell Hardware & Lumber talk about the Cape & Islands Green program.

March 26th: Mac Hay and Alex Hay of Mac's Seafood discuss business growth and creating year-round employment.

April 2nd: Sheila Hoogeboom, the CDP's Director of Business & Credit Programs is joined by Artist, Rick Fleury to talks about the the "Selling Your Artwork" business seminar they'll be presenting as part of Wellfleet Blossoms.

April 9th: Bob Jones, Board President of Cape Cod Village discusses how the organization is working to build an innovative community for adults with autism.

Click Here to Listen to or Watch Past Shows

If you have an idea for a guest or topic - Contact us

STAY CONNECTED

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