July 2022
July was another busy month for OpenCape! We enjoyed the 4th of July holiday with our families & friends & we are engaged heavily in legislative outreach to ensure our region isn't left behind with billions in infrastructure dollars now at stake. We made some exciting new connections on the Lower & Outer Cape, & we are celebrating the work anniversary of another one of our outstanding Outside Plant Engineers. Read more about what else is new at OpenCape in our July newsletter!

With Gratitude, Steve
JULY 2022 LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
OpenCape continues our legislative efforts to steer critical funding for broadband projecsts to our underserved region. With billions of state and federal dollars available for once-in-a-generation infrastructure investments, the Commonwealth is still significantly behind other rival states, and lacks a robust, inclusive and future-focused broadband plan to connect unserved and underserved residents and businesses. To date, the House and Senate have only approved $50M in funding for the entire Commonwealth. We must do better!

We do applaud Senator Moran, Senator Eldridge, and Senator DiZoglio, who recently sponsored a budget amendment to the Senate Economic Development Bill to appropriate $125M in available infrastructure funding for OpenCape to provide matching funds for an initiative that would build fiber past 100,000 homes in our region. The amendment was rejected (with no floor debate or discussion) but OpenCape will continue to advocate for better connectivity for residents and businesses in southeastern Massachusetts. With other states investing heavily, in a competitive economy, the broadband race is not one the Commonwealth can afford to lose.
OPENCAPE CONNECTS OUTER CAPE HEALTH SERVICES

The pandemic has really demonstrated the growing importance of telehealth. That's just one reason OpenCape is incredibly excited to announce that we are in the final stages of building out a new 100% fiber internet connection to four Outer Cape Health Services locations in Harwich Port, Wellfleet, and Provincetown.

Substantial infrastructure investment is needed to improve the quality of broadband access and enhance access to telehealth in our medically underserved region. Outer Cape's new internet connection will help them communicate with patients more effectively, store electronic medical records safely, and retrieve patient records and imaging data more cost effectively.

WELCOME TO THE OPENCAPE FAMILY, OCHS!
CAPE BEACHES REMAIN UNCONNECTED AND UNPROTECTED
WCVB in Boston reported that the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy Sharktivity app reported five shark sightings within just a few miles of each other over the 4th of July weekend, and Boston.com reported a whopping 14 sightings in just two days two weeks later. Unfortunately, most of this data is not being received in real time, and while it is helpful, we need to be more proactive regarding protecting visitors and residents.

In 2018, when Arthur Medici was tragically killed by a shark at Newcomb Hollow Beach, OpenCape immediately went to work on a plan and prepared a detailed report on how to connect the 12 most visited beaches on the Cape. Four years later, unfortunately, nothing has been done. The Commonwealth needs robust infrastructure investment and a strategic broadband plan to deal with public safety issues that could be solved with reliable high-speed internet connectivity. Call or email your representative or senator and tell them better broadband is a public safety issue in our region that needs to be addressed.
SUMMER NETWORKING WITH THE CAPE COD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & CAPE COD YOUNG PROFESSIONALS
OpenCape recently joined a packed house of attendees at Cape Cod Coffee at Mashpee Commons for the Cape Cod Young Professionals After Hours Connect event!

This event was a great way to learn more about some of the awesome small businesses at the Commons. We are so lucky that we get to live, work, and play in such an amazing place! Thanks to CCYP and Cape Cod Coffee for hosting this fun networking event!
The Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce hosted OpenCape and dozens of other members at Blue Rock Golf Course for breakfast, networking, and a putting contest last month.

Our own Director of Sales & Business Development Steve Smith held his own during the putting contest, but ultimately...let's just say he didn't prevail. We still enjoyed a gorgeous morning of networking in Yarmouth thanks to the Chamber!
CORINNE GREEN CELEBRATES THREE YEARS AT OPENCAPE
OpenCape is proud to celebrate three years of service with Corinne Green, the first female Outside Plant Engineer on our world-class engineering team! Corinne has been an engineer for more than 20 years and she spent over 30 years in various positions at Verizon Communications.

In addition to being an expert in her field and a telephone pole savant (she literally knows exactly where each one is!), Corinne is a foodie who loves to enjoy waterfront dining here on the Cape and in Plymouth with her husband Chris.

Congratulations on your work anniversary, Corinne, we are so grateful for you!
OPENCAPE SPONSORS FREE JAILHOUSE JAM CONCERT SERIES
Summer is in full swing here on the Cape with lots of family-friendly activities to enjoy!

OpenCape is proud to be a Whaler Sponsor of the Barnstable Village Association Jailhouse Jam Concert Series! These FREE concerts take place every Wednesday in July and August right here at the Barnstable County Complex. Make plans to attend a concert soon if you haven't already done so!

Photo Credit: Barnstable Village Association
DEVELOPERS, BUILDERS + ARCHITECTS CHOOSE OPENCAPE!

Rob Brennan Jr., President of CapeBuilt Development LLC, is an example of one of the progressive and future-focused developers OpenCape is working with to ensure the next generation of housing in our region is SMART in design and connectivity! First at 255 Main Street and now at Sea Captain's Row, Hyannis residents became the very first Cape Codders to have gig speed service in their homes. These tenants enjoy lighting fast connectivity as part of their downtown experience in the heart of the community's rich maritime history! Make sure your development project is talking with OpenCape to take advantage of reliable 100% fiber connectivity!
JOIN OUR TEAM: OPENCAPE IS HIRING!
Are you passionate about the internet? Join the growing local team at OpenCape and help us bridge the digital divide for businesses and residents here in southeastern Mass. We are currently hiring several full-time positions that include comprehensive benefits.

Read more about job openings at OpenCape HERE on our website, and call or email us for more information!
THANKS FOR THE REFERRAL!
Our friends at the JFK Hyannis Museum on Main Street recently sent us a referral who turned into a new OpenCape customer. That means a free month of internet service for the museum!

Do you have a friend or business who could benefit from reliable high-speed internet connectivity? Click here to learn more or contact us to learn more about our referral program today!
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