Small Business Programs
Encouraging small business development and job growth
The Community Development Partnership (CDP) is committed to supporting economic development within our community through programs and education that foster the start-up and growth of local businesses, including those that tackle the unique business challenges of the fishing and aquaculture industries, home-based businesses, artists and other crafts people on the Lower Cape.
Education and Training
2011 Cape & Islands Green – Merging Business Opportunities with Environmentally Sustainable Business Practices
The newest initiative out of our Economic Development Department is our effort to combine good business practices with environmental initiatives. Our partnership with Cape & Islands Green, Cape Light Compact and Cape & Islands Self-Reliance Corporation provides just the right blend of economic, social and environmental awareness.
For a look at the Level 1 requirements click here
Workshop Registration
Micro Lending
Through the Micro Loan Program, the CDP provides loans to qualified businesses of up to $40,000. These loans can be used for working capital, real estate for the use of small business, and for machinery and equipment. Learn More.
Cape Cod Fisheries Trust
Our Economic Development Department is collaborating with the Cape Cod Fisheries Trust to support and preserve the local fishing community on Cape Cod. The Cape Cod Fisheries Trust (CCFT) established in 2008, was developed to link Cape Cod fishermen with business expertise and financing aimed at sustaining their livelihoods and the marine fisheries they rely on.
The Cape Cod Fisheries Trust was created under the leadership of Paul Parker, then Executive Director of the Cape Cod Commercial Hook Fishermen’s Association (CCCHFA). Commercial fishing permits were acquired and a Quota Bank was developed which could be leased back to fishermen at affordable rates. Capitalized with an investment from the Ford Foundation, other private money and local bank loans, the CCFT holds permits for many of the target and by-catch species that are the lifeblood of fishing families on the Lower Cape. The CDP manages the leasing of Quota and the technical business assistance available to the fisherman for the CCFT.
Fishing communities on Cape Cod, and across the United States, face a perfect storm of challenges including rigorous public policies that regulate natural resources to better manage fishing stocks and protect environmental areas, rapidly increasing presence of big business on the seas and rising costs of doing business. Like many industries, regulation and controls have forced fishermen who could once just go out and fish to earn a decent living, to now be astute business owners.
The impact of these problems are most severely felt by the rural coastal communities and fishing families that have for generations depended on this as their full time employment. Boat captains, crew, suppliers and the extensive small business network that goes into supporting a vibrant fleet in our area can all be supported with a strong fishing fleet.
Our innovative collaboration with the Cape Cod Fisheries Trust has established a program that links community-based fishermen to fishing Quota, business management expertise, financing and the contacts they need to grow a diversified fishing business. The CDP and the CCFT are working with the fisherman to support a vibrant fishing industry on Cape Cod for years to come.
For more information the Trust, link here: www.ccchfa.org/trust
Cape Cod SCORE
Cape Light Compact
Workforce Education Resource Center
photo credits this page: Abigail Chapman (email)
(Sol Restaurant and scallops)
Last updated: December 6, 2011
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