News & offerings from the Community Development Partnership
March 2018

A Word from Jay ...
Last night, the Community Development Partnership held our 27th Annual Meeting - our annual gathering of our Board, Advisory Council and supporters. We will have a full report on the meeting, our community awards and the election of officers and new Board Members in next month's e-news.
 
The evening was a great celebration of the accomplishments of the past year:
  • Providing affordable rental homes for 72 families
  • Loaning over $200,000 to 10 local businesses
  • Rehabilitating 31 homes owned by our low income neighbors resulting in $958K to local contractors
  • Launching a comprehensive training program in housing production for over 130 elected and appointed municipal officials on Cape Cod
We released our 2017 Annual Report - a copy of which is available here.
 
And I spoke about our plans for the coming year:
  • Expanding our property management department to be able to ensure that new affordable housing in the pipeline is managed locally
  • Continuing the work of the Cape Community Housing Partnership to build the capacity of Lower Cape Towns to solve our affordable housing challenges
  • Provide matching grants to small businesses for professional services that will help them grow
The work we do to create opportunities for people to live, work and thrive on the Lower Cape is possible thanks to you! Your financial support makes it possible for us to nurture a young entrepreneur with a dream, keep a working family housed year-round and prepare families for the dream of home ownership through our First Time Home Buyer training.
 
Thanks for being part of our success and for your commitment to our future.
 
As always,
Jay - short
Supporting Local Businesses
Where Are They Now?
When Growing Pains Are Good

"It is definitely a balance of streamlining, maintaining that personal touch and keeping our heart and soul in it."      
Lizzy Escher, co-owner ARTichoke

When sisters and Brewster natives Kate and Lizzy Escher embarked on their silk-screening business, they considered it a hobby.  They were living in Boston at the time and created their screened apparel out of Lizzy's bedroom.  Although their fledgling business ARTichoke, largely used the web-based Etsy to market their unique clothing, the business grew and production expanded into Kate's kitchen.

After moving back to Cape Cod and setting up shop in their landlord's basement, the sisters became more serious and finally decided " Let's make this a lifestyle!" recalls Lizzy. They wanted a store in Orleans but they weren't ready financially.  So they purchased a mobile truck and began working craft fairs and flea markets.
 
Around this time a friend told them about the CDP, remarking "they are great and they want to work with the small businesses." Lizzy remembers that "The CDP gave us the guidance to get us moving in the right direction."


Photo: Diane Collatos

Providing Safe, Stable & Affordable Housing
When the Heat Went Out, CDPs Housing Rehab Program Came to the Rescue

"This was such a blessing for me...to be able to get all the work done and not have to make monthly payments."
             Dee Venuti-Davidson, South Dennis
 
 When Dee Venuti-Davidson received a postcard from the CDP this summer about our Housing Rehabilitation program, she had no idea how soon she would be needing it. The postcard promoted the availability of up to $35,000 in funds for low- to moderate-income South Dennis residents to make necessary repairs on their homes.   

Mrs. Venuti-Davidson kept the postcard, and in November as the temperature dropped, her heating system failed. It was right before Thanksgiving ...


Upcoming Events and Workshops  
First Time Home Buyer Workshop

This 3-part workshop is for individuals who are thinking of buying their first home or have started the process. Learn about credit health, budgeting, home inspections, home energy audits and insurance protections. Graduates are eligible for certain discounted mortgage products.

April 18th,  23rd and 25th from  6:00 PM-9:00 PM

This program is sponsored by Seamen's Bank.


SCORE
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:
One hour mentoring sessions will be available on:
Wednesday, April 25
 between 9:00 AM and 1:00 PM. 
CDP Conference Room, 3 Main Street Mercantile, Unit 8 in Eastham.


This Place Matters
 our bi-weekly radio & television show
WOMR
   
Tune in
 92.1 WOMR & 91.3 WFMR    
 Wednesdays 12:30pm
                 Also on Lower Cape TV

Join host Jay Coburn & guests to learn more
about activities affecting the people and places on the Lower and Outer Cape Cod.

April 4 :  
Nicole Cormier of the Local Juice and Kim Schkapich of Lola's Food Lab will share what it takes to bring your food to market.

April 18: 
TBD

   
Click Here to Listen to or Watch Past Shows
 
If you have an idea for a guest or topic - Contact Britt Beedenbender. 
 
This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
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