Replacing Cape Cod's Bourne and Sagamore Bridges
Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce Policy Podcast
Release Date: 07/23/2020
Bridge Replacements & Tourism Promotion: The Latest From Cape Cod
Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce Policy Podcast
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...
info_outline
Cape Cod's 'Blue Economy' - What Lies Ahead for the Region
Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce Policy Podcast
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 2nd and 3rd, the Cape Cod Chamber will be part of a coalition hosting a two-day “Big Blue Conference”...
info_outline
Cape Cod's Wastewater Dilemma: What Will it Cost?
Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce Policy Podcast
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...
info_outline
Replacing the Sagamore and Bourne Bridges: UPDATE
Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce Policy Podcast
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...
info_outline
Cape Cod's Housing Dilemma: Finding a Path Forward
Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce Policy Podcast
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...
info_outline
Cape Cod Summer 2022 - Another Strong Season Ahead
Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce Policy Podcast
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.
info_outline
Cape Cod's Childcare Crisis: What Businesses Need to Know
Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce Policy Podcast
Cape Cod was already facing a childcare crisis before the pandemic -- with high costs and few options. A bad situation only become worse during COVID-19. On this episode of the Policy Pod, Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce Chief of Staff Noelle Pina discusses the current state of child care on the Cape, how it's negatively impacting businesses and parents -- and what can be done to ease the crisis.
info_outline
The Housing Boom: Cape Cod's Explosive Real Estate Market
Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce Policy Podcast
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. 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.
info_outline
New Beginnings for the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce
Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce Policy Podcast
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.
info_outline
Cape Cod's Blue Economy - Building a Sustainable Future
Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce Policy Podcast
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.
info_outlinePlans are now being finalized to replace the Bourne and Sagamore Bridges that carry passenger traffic on and off Cape Cod. Built more than 80 years ago, both spans are functionally obsolete and in need of constant repair. Each time either bridge undergoes critical maintenance work, traffic is greatly impacted. As both bridges are the only way on and off Cape Cod by car, it is also a safety and security issue for the more than 210,000 people who live on the Cape. This edition of the Policy Pod details the plans to replace both bridges and how the State of Massachusetts will take ownership of both new spans.