Beginning in 2018, town staff and local partners started working with MassDevelopment staff on a part-time basis, developing plans and projects for public realm and streetscape visioning before the pandemic interrupted and re-aligned the process.

On February 15, 2022, Barnstable was selected by MassDevelopment to become a full time TDI District.  Because of the successful efforts of local businesses, residents, and civic groups to collaborate and support our local economy through the most difficult times over the past two years, Barnstable now receives full time technical assistance to provide on-the-ground economic development expertise, as well as access to a range of tools, including grants, to support local development and leverage investment in the Downtown.

The group continues to work as a local partnership that includes businesses, non-profit organizations, and government agencies to engage community members in economic development planning, implementation of the recently completed Downtown Action Strategy, enhancing the public realm, and attracting more public and private investment at the neighborhood level.