Downtown Hyannis District Improvement Financing Program Established
On October 24, 2024 the Barnstable Town Council approved the establishment of a Downtown Hyannis District Improvement Financing Program. A District Improvement Financing (DIF) Program enables a municipality to identify and capture an anticipated stream of local property tax revenues expected to be generated by new development in a designated district. New investment on a private property raises the assessed value, increasing the amount of tax revenue collected.
Through DIF, a percentage of the new tax revenues are captured and directed to pay the costs of public projects that attract and sustain the private investment, creating the virtuous cycle.
This program will fund the following types of projects in the Downtown Hyannis area over the next 25 years:
- Public infrastructure improvements (sidewalks, water infrastructure, broadband, etc.)
- Placemaking/beautification projects (upgrades to public spaces, streetlights, etc.)
- Storefront improvement grants for existing small businesses
- Arts and culture projects
Energy Efficiency Grants
The MassDEP is currently offered a Commercial Refrigeration Grant Program to new or existing retail food locations, food banks, and nonprofit institutions for voluntary adoption of more climate-friendly, low global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants in commercial refrigeration equipment across the state. MassDEP will accept applications on first-come, first-served basis until all available funding is spent.
The Cape Light Compact also offers ongoing energy-efficiency financial incentives to businesses that are seeking to make renovations to existing facilities and/or upgrade equipment.
Cape Cod Blue Economy Foundation WaterWORKS 2025 Event
The Cape Cod Blue Economy Foundation will be hosting WaterWORKS on Tuesday, January 14th from 9am – 4pm at the Cape Cod Community College. WaterWORKS is an event where 400 students from the Cape & Islands interact with 60+ blue economy and STEM related employers and educators. Interactive displays, fun activities, in-depth one-on-one conversations, and panel Q&A sessions leave students with a greater understanding of the career opportunities waiting for them here at home. This event promotes blue economy businesses by providing a platform to demonstrate their work, share internships and employment opportunities, and advocate for job skills required in their fields.
2025 Greater Hyannis Chamber Economic Forecast Event
The Greater Hyannis Chamber of Commerce is hosting an Economic Forecast event on January 22nd where attendees can meet specialists that will inform them on trends that will be impacting businesses in the future as well as upcoming opportunities and obstacles in the coming year. The event is taking place at the Emerald Resort in Hyannis, starting at 8am with breakfast buffet and networking.
