Inside Scoop

June 2025

Bringing You the Latest Tools to Help Your Business

The CDP is committed to building a diverse year-round community of peoples who can afford

to live, work and thrive here.

Take the Exit Survey and help us understand the Level of Readiness to Leave Your Business - Extended Through July!

Do you have a plan for what to do with your business when you’re ready to exit?

The CDP Business & Credit Team is participating in a 9-month fellowship with the Northeast Transition Institute (NETI) to learn the tools to assist business owners as they approach this critical stage of their business.

The CDP's Business & Credit Team is surveying business owners on Cape Cod and your response to understand the level of preparedness here. This information will help business service providers, civic leaders and policy makers better understand the scope and scale of the challenge and its potential impact on our economy.

This survey will take less than 10 minutes to complete. All individual survey responses will be confidential. Only the aggregated, anonymous data will be available publicly.

TAKE the Ownership Survey

CDP Referral Program

Recent referral prizes include gift certificates to

Abroad Restaurant, Farm Gallery, Salty Market, Cook's Organics, and Homeport Restaurant.

REFER A BUSINESS TODAY! YOU MAY BE JULY'S LUCKY WINNER!

Small Business Assistance

The CDP is ready to support small business owners.

Thanks to grants and donations, the CDP provides free small business services including:

Business Plan Development
Financial Planning, Cash Flow Projections, and QuickBooks Assistance
Marketing Strategies
Accountability Partner

To schedule an appointment, visit the CDP Business Events page or book an appointment with Pam or Tricia.

Make an appointment for Free Small Business Assistance

CDP Career Opportunities

Do you know someone with a passion for small business, a knack for helping others succeed, or a talent for leading high-impact fundraising initiatives? We are currently hiring for two exciting leadership positions, and we need your help to find the perfect candidates!

Manager of Business and Credit Programs

Are you eager to make a direct impact on the success of small businesses? This role will provide one-on-one guidance and lead dynamic workshops to help entrepreneurs on the Lower and Outer Cape start, grow, and thrive.

Chief Advancement Officer (CAO)

Are you passionate about helping to make the Lower and Outer Cape a place where people can live, work, and thrive? This role oversees major gifts, direct mail, event sponsorships, and communications while also advancing new fundraising opportunities like principal gifts, planned giving, and special campaigns.

Both positions offer incredible opportunities to make a difference in our community, from empowering small businesses to securing the future of affordable housing on the Lower and Outer Cape.

LEARN More and APPLY

Community Partners' Opportunities

Amplify POC Cape Cod

Our friends at Amplify POC Cape Cod have a great newsletter, The Amplifier. They put it best:

[Y]ou’ll find stories of resilience and resistance, spotlights on local businesses and changemakers, and resources to keep you informed, inspired, and connected. Each edition lifts up the powerful work of POC-owned businesses, shares upcoming events and opportunities, and celebrates the progress we’re making—together—toward a more just and equitable community.

Some of the great information in this month's edition includes the Amplify POC Equity in Ownership Grant for BIPOC-owned businesses based on Cape Cod. Grants are awarded based on need, impact, and readiness. Priority is given to businesses that demonstrate a clear plan for sustainability and community impact.

Also included is information about the Amplify POC Cape Cod Small Business Directory, a meaningful Juneteenth celebration, and the Amplify POC Cape Cod Summer Fest on August 30th (vendors needed!).

We encourage you to sign up for The Amplifier as one small step towards a more just and equitable community.

Upcoming Workshops

Art-Related Workshops & Resources

6/25 Publishing Info No One Talks About—But Every Writer Should Know!

6/30 Quarterly Taxes Don't Exist

7/2 & 7/9 Project Management

Studios at MASS MoCA residency - Apply by August 1st!

Food Related Workshops & Resources

6/24 Explore Farming Workshop

Food Resources for Small Businesses

General Business Workshops and Information

6/20 Artificial Intelligence: Getting the Most out of AI

6/23 Navigating Change and Uncertainty as a Small Business Owner

6/24 Got A Question About Digital Marketing?

7/1 Simple Steps for Starting Your Business

7/8 Simple Steps to Refining Your Business Concept

7/12 Unlock Business Growth: Charisma Is Your Superpower!

7/15 Marketing Your Business - Simple Steps

7/22 BizGrow Conference (free legal consultations & workshops on legal topics important to new and existing small businesses and startups.)

MassHire Rapid Response for Employers

Warning from the U.S. Customs

and Border Protection Agency

Small businesses, beware of too-good-to-be-true “tariff workaround” schemes!

Some foreign suppliers may encourage you to route Chinese-made goods through countries with lower tariff rates. This is illegal shipment practices, - and you, the importer, are liable. Consequences include: Seizure of your valuable inventory; Criminal charges; Business disruption; Steep fines; and Loss of importing privileges.

This bad advice often targets entrepreneurs who don’t know how much risk they’re assuming. CBP U.S. Customs and Border Protection is focused on protecting these individuals, their businesses, and fair competition for the U.S. economy.

If you’re not sure what qualifies as a Country of Origin change, get help before you ship. Here is the CBP information on the topic.

NOTE: If the vendor says they will import the goods and pay the duty, Customs will hold you liable for the fraudulent import because you are the ultimate recipient.

Your Rights and Responsibilities as an Employer

Lawyers for Civil Rights (LCR) is providing timely and free legal advice for employers and immigrants facing imminent threats related to immigration enforcement, such as immigration raids or mass deportations.

As an employer, you have certain responsibilities to ensure that your employees are legally authorized to work in the United States. Federal agencies have different ways of enforcing the laws that require legal authorization to work. LCR has created a resource guide outlining the basic rights and responsibilities that you have as an employer.

In addition, LCR's hotline, 617-988-0606, will be staffed with attorneys from LCR’s staff and pro bono network. Callers who leave a message will receive a same-day response to questions about immigration enforcement and reports of immigration raids. You can also reach the hotline via email: hotline@lawyersforcivilrights.org.

LCR also created resource guides for Immigrant Interactions with ICE and Immigrant Families to Plan for Children in Case of Deportation.

The League of Women Voters of Cape Cod and Nauset Interfaith Assembly created this Know Your Rights material - Family Preparedness Tool Kit QR code in multiple languages.

Additional Business Resources

~ CDP's Small Business Services ~

QuickBooks Help

Do you need a microloan?

Cape Light Compact Small Business Energy Programs

Business Law Consults

CDP Annual Report is Here

See the Difference You Make:

the CDP’s Annual Report Is Here

We’re proud to share our 2024 Annual Report, highlighting a year of progress, partnerships, and impact across the Lower and Outer Cape.

From supporting small businesses and affordable housing to empowering artists and year-round residents, your support made it all possible. Read the stories, numbers, and milestones that defined our year — and get a glimpse of what’s ahead.

Thank you for supporting our efforts to help year-round residents live, work, and thrive.

Read the CDP Annual Report here.