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Creating opportunities for people to live, work, & thrive on the Lower Cape
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Th
is Holiday Season, I find myself having much to be thankful for over the past y
ea
r.
We have again been awarded federal, state and private foundation grants to help over 30 low income home owner
s make critical repairs to their homes. Improvements such a window re
placements, a new roof and a more energy efficient heati
ng
system will help our neighbors preserve their affordable homes for the long te
rm. And in 2018, we are expanding our Housing Rehab program to include Eastham and Harwich (in addition to Dennis, Provincetown and Truro).
Over the past year, sixty families participated in our First Time Home Buyer Training to ensure that they are well prepared to navigate the process of purchasing a new home. And one of our long time renters is moving out because she was able to purchase an affordable home thanks to her ability to live in one of our affordable rentals and save up for a down payment.
Through our micro-loan program we helped an Orleans business buy a new delivery truck so that they can now get their product into more stores. This year we have loaned four small businesses just shy of $70,000 to help them grow and create new jobs.
This great work happens thanks to a talented team of professionals who work at the CDP and care passionately about our community and the people we serve. I'm so thankful to work with them every day. And our Board of Directors and Advisory Council support us, guide us and challenge us to do this important work.
Finally, we are so grateful to you for your financial sup
port that makes it possible for us to do the work that is critical to strengthen our Lower Cape community. By now you will have received our end of year appeal that shares a couple of success stories from the past year. But the challenges continue and with reduced funding from the state we need you even more and hope that you will continue to support the work we do with a generous end of year gift.
Together, we can make the Lower Cape a vibrant community by creating opportunities where people can live, work and thrive.
As always,
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'Tis the Season...
By now you should have received our end of year appeal. This is the time of year when we look back, celebrate progress made, and prepare for the work ahead.
None of our programs could happen without your support. And we continue to need it.
In our appeal letter we shared with you two stories - one about a family who was able to remain in their home, thanks to your support, because we were able to provide needed repairs to their home.
The other story was about a local shell fisherman, Jason Weisman, who was able to start his own business thanks to a loan from the CDP. Unfortunately, in the letter we incorrectly described the loan as a no-interest Farm Credit loan when it was, in fact, a low interest loan. Additionally, we misidentified the photograph which was of Jason with one of his sons, not his daughter.
We apologize for these errors, but the essence of Jason's situation remains the same and represents many others like him. People struggling to get their feet underneath them, who are looking for opportunity and a chance for stability are helped by your donations that support the CDP and its programs.
We are asking for your support again this year. If you have your letter, and have not yet given, please show your commitment to this community with an end of year gift, or visit our website to make your donation
here.
Together we will work to strengthen the Lower Cape and provide opportunities to the people who call it home! Thank you!!
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The CDP is open for business!
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"This is a great opportunity for small businesses."
Dennis Gordon, Mr. Nacho
Supporting local businesses and the economic growth of the Lower Cape is a priority for the CDP. One of the ways we do that is by providing micro-loans to existing or start-up manufacturing, retail, wholesale, and service businesses.
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Sunbird Kitchen owners J'aime and Christian Sparrow with business partner, Karen Densmore accepting the check that helped make it possible for them to get their dinner service operational.
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Over the past 25 years the CDP has provided $2.85 million to 146 businesses on the
Businesses located on the Lower Cape that
employ five or fewer full-time year round employees, with annual sales under $750,000, are eligible.
Loans of up to $40,000 can be used to buy equipment, purchase vehicles, cover seasonal start-up costs, purchase materials & inventory, and provide working capital. The loans are offered at prime +3, and have terms that are up to five years.
In order to ensure that we provide opportunities for those who need it most, 50% of our loan portfolio is for low to moderate income (LMI) business owners.
An important factor in determining suitability for a loan is whether the
Business demonstrates a potential for job creation, especially career opportunities for LMI individuals.
The small business has to demonstrate the management capacity and/or willingness to accept close management consultation and technical assistance throughout the life of the loan. Quarterly meetings with staff to review financials and business goals are required.
The CDP will provide Technical Assistance to applicants in developing the loan application, including assistance with the business plan and financial projections.
This hand-holding process is meant to set up the business owner with success. Amy Costa of Cape Cod Kombucha remarks "It was a seamless process. We never felt in the dark, we were helped along though the whole process."
If you would like to learn more about our micro-loans, our technical assistance program, mentoring series or training workshops, contact Pam Andersen at 508-240-7873 x18.
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M
unicipal Leaders Attend Cape Housing Institute in Record Numbers
Residents of the Cape can feel confident that their municipal leaders are taking the regional housing crisis seriously.
The Cape Housing Institute, organized in partnership with the Housing Assistance Corporation, kicked off in October and finished on November 16. The CDP's goal was that 4o municipal leaders and decision makers from the Lower Cape would attend. Over 70 Lower Cape officials attended and a total of over 130 participants Cape-wide made the commitment to their towns to gain the skills and knowledge to work on affordable housing solutions!
The six workshops combined presentations by local experts and included such topics as zoning, finance, design and municipal collaboration with the goal of equipping participants with the knowledge and skills they would need in order to develop affordable and diverse housing options in their own communities.
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se are just a couple of thoughts shared by attendees when asked why they chose to participate:
"The affordable housing issue is getting worse, not better. I want to be part of a collective solution."
"Time is running out. Land is running out. Our future is at stake."
"I want to learn more about housing development and create opportunities to collaborate across town borders."
"The Institute is important for sharing ideas between interested parties so that we can tailor projects to meet community and regional needs."
While there is a lot of work ahead, we are confident that we have provided the foundation for municipal leaders to work together and across to
wn lines to develop a more pro-active and creative approach to solving our housing needs.
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See What's Happening This Fall
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Connect & Grow: Peer Mentoring Group Kicks Off with Room for More!
Our "Connect & Grow" peer mentoring group is gathering momentum...but there is room for more!
If you are a local business owner this may be the group for you! Here's an opportunity to bounce ideas and challenges off a group of peers who understand the challenges of running a business on the Lower Cape.
All you need to do is
commit to meeting the 2
nd
Tuesday of the month, from now through April (no January Meeting) for the group meetings.
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Marketing Your Business: Traditional PR for the 21st Century
There is still time to participate in our marketing workshop series for small businesses. The last of three workshops,
"
What to Post and Why: Effectively Using Social Media," will take place on December 5 from
5:30 to 7:00 pm in the CDP conference room in Eastham.
The workshop is just $25.
From earlier this month, here is a Allison Oberton's
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S
CORE Business Counseling
Looking for practical business wisdom? The CDP has arranged with Cape Cod SCORE to offer Individual Business Counseling with SCORE counselors right here in Eastham.
When & Where: a one hour mentoring session will be available on
Wednesday, December 13 between 9:00 AM and 1:00 PM.
CDP Conference Room, 3 Main Street Mercantile, Unit 8 in Eastham.
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First Time Homebuyers Workshop
We will be offering the three-day, 9 hour course again in December. Advance registration is required and fee is $50 per individual or $70 per household.
Classes will be held on:
- Monday, December 4, 2017 from 6:00pm - 9:00pm
- Wednesday, December 6, 2017 from 6:00pm - 9:00pm
- Monday, December 11, 2017 from 6:00pm - 9:00pm
This workshop is made possible thanks to Seamen's Bank.
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Housing Rehabilitation Program: Information Session
Come learn about opportunities available through the Housing Rehabilitation Program. Funds are available to eligible residents to pay for critical home repairs, such as:
Roofing and Siding
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Lead Paint Abatement
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Minor Structural Repairs
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Heating and Plumbing
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Windows and Doors
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Energy Efficiency Upgrades
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Provincetown Council on Aging - Wednesday, December 7 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM.
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Affordable Housing Opportunities
Affordable Rentals
We own/manage 72 rental homes throughout the Lower Cape. Availability changes on a regular basis.
If you have questions, please contact Alice Demoracski, our Director of Property Management at 508.240.7873 ×17 or by email at
Housing Rehabilitation Program
Attention homeowners and landlords! Receive up to $40,000 for critical repairs to your home. Repairs include, but are not limited to roofing, heat, windows, siding, septic, lead paint abatement and energy efficiency upgrades. Get expert assistance on planning the work and work with quality licensed and insured contractors. Funding is limited and available on a first come, first serve basis. This program is available to income eligible residents of Dennis, Eastham, Harwich, Provincetown, Truro and Wellfleet.
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This Place Matters
our bi-weekly radio & television show
Tune in
92.1 WOMR & 91.3 WFMR
Wednesdays 12:30pm
Join host Jay Coburn & guests to learn more
about activities affecting the people and places on Lower and Outer Cape Cod.
December 13:
Join Jay Coburn for a discussion with two participants in the recently completed Cape Housing Institute: Diane Pansire of the Brewster Housing Partnership and Dan Hoort, Town Administrator for Wellfeet.
December 27 :
Join Wil Rhymer, VP and Branch Manager of Wellfleet's Cape Cod Five Cents Saving Bank and Raphael Richter, Provincetown entrepreneur and founder/owner of Cape Cab - the newest members of the Community Development Partnership Board of Directors.
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This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
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