A Note from Jay
The Off Season
Prior to taking the reins at the CDP, my spouse and I ran a restaurant in Provincetown. In fact, it was the CDP that helped us write our business plan and go on to create one of the Cape's highly acclaimed restaurants. But that's another story.
I very much remember September being the time of the year when we finally caught our breath and could work at a more sustainable pace. It seemed that each year, Labor Day Weekend came just at the nick of time. Running a business in a seasonal economy has many challenges, but the shift to the slower time provided a great opportunity to take stock of lessons learned over the summer and allowed us to think about how to recharge or reset our business for the coming year.
At the CDP, the fall, winter and spring are the busy times for our Business & Credit Team as small business owners throughout the region begin to have the time to reflect on their businesses and look for opportunities to expand. It is during the off season that we offer a series of workshops designed to help entrepreneurs start a business or grow their business. And it is during the off season that we are most active in making loans and helping businesses access capital to fuel their expansion.
In this issue you can learn more about our upcoming trainings for small business owners, as well as our First Time Home Buyer workshops that are so important to preparing future homeowners for putting down roots in our community.
Thanks for your interest and support that is so important to our ability to create opportunities for people to live, work and thrive on the Lower Cape.
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Thank You
To Our Supporters
We couldn't do the work we do without this support from our community
a
nd we thank them!
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Safe, Stable & Affordable Housing
Giving First Time Home Buyers a Boost
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Recent First Time Home Buyer Graduates
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Sarah Robinson has been part of the CDP's First Time Home Buyer workshop for nine years, leading it for the past four. She first became involved by teaching the Budgeting and Credit part of the class, a natural fit with her profession as a financial advisor. Eventually the opportunity arose to lead the class and Sarah took it on.
According to Sarah, "The First Time Home Buyer workshop is important because it helps participants put themselves into a position to buy a house."
A big component of this process is the personal financial piece. Sarah commented, "A lot of folks do not have this skill-set naturally. Individuals join the class in various places - some with lots of debt; others not making enough income to save; and still others who don't know how to save. We give them the resources to take charge of their finances, to change their mentality to one of being in charge of their personal financial situation."
If the First Time Home Buyer workshop sounds like a good fit for you or someone you know, we have a class starting in October.
Find out more below.
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Strong Local Businesses
Workshops Offer Strategies for Success
With support from the Cooperative Bank of Cape Cod, we're pleased to kick-off of our 2016-2017 business education series with our flagship workshops for start-up and growing businesses.
Our Smart Start Workshop provides early stage entrepreneurs with tips for how to start-up successfully. One workshop participant said, "The quality of the information and insight was invaluable to help me achieve new results in my small, growing business."
Moving along the continuum, established business owners have the opportunity to learn strategies to improve their operations during our Grow Smart Workshop. Workshop participant, Devon Ruesch, of Devon's in Provincetown, said, "The CDP Grow Smart workshop is a great tool for learning new skills and resources. It also provides networking opportunities with other small business owners, making one feel less alone with the obstacles of running a business in the challenging Cape Cod market."
During each workshop, participants will have the opportunity to learn from expert presenters, and from one another.
You can find out more about both of these workshops below. And stay tuned for future workshops being offered throughout the fall and winter.
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A Sustainable Future
Planning with the Future in Mind
CDP Board member, Leslie Richardson has a big job. As Chief Economic Development Officer for the Cape Cod Commission, Leslie how well Cape Cod works as an economic system, including how to plan strategically for its future.
She has been with the regional planning agency for almost 13 years. During that time, one of her main tasks has been preparing the
Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy. This five year strategic plan, built off of the
Regional Policy Plan, identifies regional priority projects that will move the region's economy towards a sustainable future.
Leslie also has the opportunity to work closely with towns in the region on infrastructure issues. A recent example of this activity is her work with the town of Orleans. She led an evaluation of land use, transportation and business activity along Rt. 6A relative to the Town's economic development and planning goals. (You can read more about it here.) The perspective and level of expertise that Leslie and her colleagues at the Commission can provide to towns is a valuable resource, often beyond the time capacity of a municipal staff.
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 Upcoming and Ongoing
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First Time Home Buyer Education
If you or someone you know is thinking of buying a first home (or even if you've started the process), our First Time Home Buyer Education is for you! During this 3-part workshop, participants learn about:
- Credit Health
- Budgeting
- Looking for, selecting & purchasing a home
- Home Inspection
- Home Energy Audits
- Insurance Protection
- Local Resources
Those who successfully complete the class are awarded a certificate of completion that may make them eligible for certain discount mortgage products.
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With Thanks to our Workshop Sponsor
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When:
The workshop consists of three classes on the following dates - Tuesday, October 18th, Thursday, October 20th and Thursday, October 25th from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM.
Where: CDP Conference Room - 3 Main Street Mercantile, Unit 8 in Eastham
Find Out More: Contact Andrea at 508-240-7873 x10 or by
email.
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SCORE Individual Business Counseling
Could your business use some extra guidance? Want to bounce business ideas off of someone? The
CDP has arranged with
Cape Cod SCORE to offer Individual Business Counseling with
SCORE counselors right here in Eastham.
Sign up today!
When:
Wednesdays, October 19th and November 16th from 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM (1 hour sessions).
More Information: Contact Pam at 508-240-7873 x18 or by
email.
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Grow Smart Workshop
Could your growing business use a boost?
This 3-part workshop series is for existing business owners interested in learning strategies to grow, improve, or refresh their operations. Working in a confidential setting with other business owners, participants will address current issues that
challenge them on a regular basis, including:
- Understanding the financial health of the business
- How to make more money
- Managing employees and professional services
- Setting up systems
- Balancing home and work
- Keeping up with and using technology
- Staying inspired to grow
When: The workshop consists of three classes on the following days - Tues., November 1st, Thurs., November 3rd and Thurs., November 10th from 9:00 AM to 11:30 AM.
Where: Provincetown Town Hall - 260 Commercial Street
Find Out More: Contact Glen at 508-240-7873 x13 or by
email.
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Thinking of starting your own business?
Set it up for success with our 3-part interactive Smart Start workshop for individuals in the early stages of developing a business. Topics include: creating a clear vision; assessing your strengths; analyzing your market; and getting started. Get the foundation you need for a strong start.
When:
The workshop consists of three classes on the following Mondays - November 7th, 14th and 21st from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM.
Where: CDP Conference Room - 3 Main Street Mercantile, Unit 8 in Eastham
Find Out More: Contact Glen at 508-240-7873 x13 or by
email
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Affordable Housing Opportunities
Affordable Rentals
We manage 75 rental homes throughout the Lower Cape. Availability changes on a regular basis. Please contact our Director of Property Management at 508.240.7873 ×17 or email
[email protected]. If you have questions and for more information. You can also find out more on our
website.
Housing Rehabilitation Program
Attention homeowners and landlords! Receive up to $35,000 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.
Opportunities in Dennis,Wellfleet, Truro and Provincetown.
You can find out more at our website or by contacting our Housing Rehab Program Manager, Jean Stanley at (508) 240-7873 x14 or by email.
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Tune In to This Place Matters
92.1 WOMR & 91.3 WFMR
Join host Susan Lindquist & her guests for a lunchtime
talk about life on Lower Cape Cod.
October 5th: Cape Mediation Executive Director, Carol Connolly and Board Member Bob Mautherstock share information about the value of mediation, including their upcoming Intensive Mediation Skills Training
October 12th: It's all about sharks! Listen as guest Marianne Long, Shark Education Director for the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy, talks about the work the organization is doing around shark education, research and public safety.
October 19th: Tom Conrad, Superintendent of the
Nauset Public Schools share information about the current academic year.
October 26th: Jennifer Cummings, Associate Director of Development for Cape Cod Healthcare and
co-chair of Philanthropy Day on Cape Cod talks about what to expect at this year's
Philanthropy Day on Cape Cod on Tuesday, November 8th.
Click Here to Listen to or Watch Past Shows
If you have an idea for a guest or topic -
Contact us
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E-newsletter Photo Credits to Abigail Chapman
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This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
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