Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce Policy Podcast

From Bourne to Provincetown and all the towns in between, 2023 was another busy year for the Cape Cod economy. In what many view as the first full post-COVID year, Cape Cod's tourism sector remained strong, efforts to grow the Blue Economy continued and the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce continued working on the Cape's housing and labor issues. They also took the lead in working to get the Bourne and Sagamore Bridges replaced as soon as possible. On this segment of the Policy Pod, Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce CEO Paul Niedzwiecki and the Davenport Companies Director of Communication Matt Pitta look back at the issues we all confronted in 2023 and discuss what is coming in 2024.

Replacing the aging bridges that span the Cape Cod Canal is a major priority facing the region. At the same time, Cape Cod needs to continue finding innovative and effective ways to promote the area as a tourist destination amid growing competition. Both, in separate ways, need assistance and leverage from the government at the state and federal level. To assist in that, the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce has recently named Lauren Barker to the new position of Director of Government Relations. Barker, who joins the Policy Pod in this episode with co-host Matt Pitta, talks about her background in those related areas and how the Cape Cod Chamber is moving ahead on both fronts. Both canal bridges are the lifelines to Cape Cod and need immediate replacement.

Have you heard about Cape Cod’s effort to promote the “Blue Economy?” Here’s a chance to learn what it’s all about on this episode of the Policy Pod. Co-host Matt Pitta and Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Director Katy Acheson talk about efforts to leverage the sustainable use of Cape Cod’s surrounding waters. The Cape’s economic viability is directly tied to the health of our environment, which is why millions of people visit the region each year. On May 2^nd and 3^rd, the Cape Cod Chamber will be part of a coalition hosting a two-day “Big Blue Conference” in Buzzards Bay. Take a listen to learn more about the Cape’s “Blue Economy” future and how you can take part.

 The issue of how Cape Cod will address increasing wastewater and nitrogen loading concerns continues to grow, with many towns in different stages of planning and implementation. Adding a new wrinkle to the debate is a draft regulation being floated by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection that could put homeowners across Cape Cod on the hook for costly upgrades to their existing Title 5 systems through so-called Innovative/Alternative Septic Systems. On this edition of the Policy Pod, we take a deep dive into the issue with a discussion on how it may be possible to avoid the implementation of new regulations as towns work on their wastewater management plans. Andrew Gottlieb from the Association for the Preservation of Cape Cod is the guest with co-hosts Matt Pitta and Paul Niedzwiecki.

The Bourne and Sagamore bridges that carry vehicle and truck traffic over the Cape Cod Canal are two of the most important lifelines for Cape Cod. Both spans are nearly 90 years old and in desperate need of replacement. On this edition of the Policy Pod, Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce CEO Paul Niedzwiecki talks with podcast co-host Matt Pitta from The Davenport Companies about a new task force that has been created to push the vital project forward. Already declared functionally obsolete, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which maintains the bridges, previously said major maintenance work would be needed within five years. That project could possibly require each bridge to be completely closed for several months while work was underway. That's prompting local officials to urgently lobby for a stepped up timetable for replacement to avoid a potential economic calamity for Cape Cod. The new bridges are needed not to increase capacity on Cape Cod, but to allow life as Cape Codders know it to continue.

Cape Cod continues to be not only a world-class tourist destination, but an increasingly popular place for people to live year-round. And that is putting even more pressure on available workforce housing options. Home prices have skyrocketed over the past two years, pushing many people out of the market for homeownership and putting even more pressure on available rentals. On this episode of the Policy Pod, Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce CEO Paul Niedzwiecki talks with co-host Matt Pitta about the future of housing on Cape Cod, what the Chamber is doing to address the issue, and how local residents can be part of the solution.

As the summer tourism season approaches on Cape Cod -- all signs are indicating that the popular vacation destination will experience another record-breaking year. Bookings are up and interest among potential vacationers is high. On this episode of the Policy Pod, we talk about expected business trends for the tourism industry in the summer of 2022. We also talk about the challenge of finding labor and worker housing.

The Cape Cod housing market has been strong for many years, with sustained price increases. But since the onset of COVID-19, the growth has been explosive -- the average price of a single-family home has surged from $450,000 to $620,000 -- in less than two years. That's squeezing many people out of the market and forcing long-term Cape Codders to make difficult decisions about staying on Cape or looking for more affordable locations to purchase. And that it is having a big impact on the employment market, putting businesses in the vice when it comes to finding workers. On this edition of The Policy Pod, The Davenport Companies Director of Communication Matt Pitta and Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce CEO Paul Niedzwiecki discuss the current state of housing and what the Chamber is doing to address the issue.

After 24 years leading the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce, CEO Wendy Northcross officially retired earlier this year, capping off an immensely successful career leading Cape Cod's foremost promoter of the region's economy. Her successor, Paul Niedzwiecki, comes to the Chamber from successful careers in government, policy planning and the private sector. On this edition of the Policy Pod, Matt Pitta sits down with both Wendy and Paul at a testimonial dinner held in Wendy's honor in Dennis. Listen in to hear about where the Cape Cod economy has been -- where's it headed -- and the challenges ahead.

The Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce continues work on promoting the 'Blue Economy' - an initiative to build a sense of pride and identity in the region's 'water economy,' and to encourage responsible blue entrepreneurship and employment. The vast majority of Cape Cod's economic engine is driven by water -- better defined as the health and quality of our beaches, bays and ponds. Without it - the Cape's tourism economy could not survive. As a way to promote the concept, more than 30 Waypoints have recently been installed across Cape Cod. The interpretive structures are designed to educate people about the special relationship we have with our waters. On this episode of the Policy Pod, Expedition Blue Director of Community Engagement Bert Jackson joins Matt Pitta to talk about the initiative.

The Summer of 2021 has officially arrived on Cape Cod -- and local businesses are looking for a strong season as they continue to recover from the impacts of COVID-19. The Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce hosted their annual Quahog Day, a light-hearted welcome to summer, where "Johnny Quahog" delivers the prognostication of how many days of sunny weather the Cape will have from "Doug the Quahog." And the friendly mollusk predicted more than 100 days of summer! The event was created several years ago as a way to build interest for Cape Cod at the beginning of the summer season. On this edition of the Policy Pod, Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce CEO Wendy Northcross and Matt Pitta, Director of Communication with The Davenport Companies, speak with 2021 Quahog host Chris Lambton, a local business owner and HGTV host, about the upcoming season.

Cape Cod and all of Massachusetts moved into the next phase of reopening on April 30 more than year after the COVID-19 outbreak began. As of the end of April, the outdoor mask mandate has been eliminated. In the coming weeks, capacity limits for gatherings will increase for both indoor and outdoor venues. Street festivals, parades and beer gardens will be able to reopen. Gov. Charlie Baker also announced that as of August 1st, all industry restrictions will be lifted. On this episode of the Policy Pod, we discuss what the changes mean for Cape Cod residents and businesses.

In an historic step, the first-ever grants from the Cape Cod and Islands Water Protection Fund were issued on April 16, 2021 to local towns. Projects will include innovative strategies and alternative septic system technologies and wastewater treatment plants, as well as drainage improvements and water treatment programs. The ultimate goal is to improve water quality in freshwater ponds and marine resources. On this episode, we explain why it's important and what it means for the future of clean water on Cape Cod.

The Town of Barnstable has embarked on an ambitious and critical plan to ensure clean water for the community's future. On this episode of the Policy Pod, we take an in-depth look at one of the most pressing issues facing all Cape Cod communities -- our future wastewater needs and treatment options. Barnstable Town Manager Mark Ells and Barnstable Director of Finance Mark Milne join the podcast to detail what residents and business should expect over the next several months and years from the planning, construction and financing angles contained in their Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan.

When COVID-19 hit nearly one year ago, the public transportation sector took a major blow, with people avoiding trains, buses and other modes that involved putting large groups of people together. The result was devastating to the financial well-being of public and private transit agencies on which so many rely. On this edition of the Policy Pod, Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority Administrator Tom Cahir joins us to talk about federal money that is arriving to help the struggling transit sector.

In 1997, Wendy Northcross took what at the time was going to be a temporary assignment as the CEO of the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce. Nearly a quarter of a century later, she has announced her retirement after transforming the once-languishing organization into Cape Cod's most influential force for tourism and business promotion. Through good and bad economic cycles, recessions and now a pandemic, Northcross has been the steady steward on the rudder keeping Cape Cod moving forward. On this segment of the Policy Pod, we talk with her about the past 24 years leading the Cape Cod business community.

The testing capacity for COVID-19 on Cape Cod will see a significant increase in the coming days thanks to funding from several sources. New testing locations will be available in Falmouth, Hyannis, and the Lower/Outer Cape. Listen in to our latest Policy Pod to learn where you can get tested around Cape Cod. We also discuss the pending arrival of vaccines on Cape Cod and the initial state distribution plans.

As Cape Cod businesses head into December, they continue to deal with COVID-19 and the implications the virus will have in the weeks and months ahead. With cases on the rise around the state and nation, local business leaders say there should not be a concern about a broad shutdown. Since the outbreak and shutdown in the spring, so much more is known about how to treat the virus and operate businesses in a safe and health manner. Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce CEO Wendy Northcross says the key is to "do the right thing, don't be afraid and don't shut down." Listen to our latest edition of the Policy Pod for everything you need to know over the next several weeks.

Newly-elected Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce Board Chair Linda Markham joins the Policy Pod to talk about the ongoing reopening of Cape Cod amid COVID-19. Markham, who also sits on Governor Charlie Baker's Reopening Task Force, gives us some new insight into how the process is working and what we can expect in the weeks and months ahead as the response the virus and the hope for a vaccine continues. Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce CEO Wendy Northcross talks about the just completed summer season and how local businesses were impacted by the pandemic.