Cape Cod Focus formed to address critical Cape issues

Concerned Citizens, Business People and Community Leaders Coalesce

Cape Cod Focus Formed To Address Critical Cape Issues

Cape Cod is losing its greatest resource, its people, and to curb this devastating trend, a collection of concerned citizens, business individuals and community leaders have joined forces to create Cape Cod Focus, a study group committed to providing analysis, advocacy and support for issues that improve the quality of life for Cape Codders of all ages.

“The quality of life on Cape Cod is in danger,” the group states in its guiding principles. “The Cape’s economics and demographics are out of balance. We believe that by accessing critical information and by engaging in constructive inquiry and discussion, we can assist Cape Cod decision makers in improving the future.”

“The quality of life on Cape Cod is in danger,” the group states in its guiding principles.  “The Cape’s economics and demographics are out of balance. We believe that by accessing critical information and by engaging in constructive inquiry and discussion, we can assist Cape Cod decision makers in improving the future.”

Among other priorities, Cape Cod Focus—led by Steve Abbott, retired CEO of Cape Cod Health Care, and Gary Sheehan, President & CEO of Cape Medical Supply and co-founder of Cape Cod Young Professionals, will work to:

• Separate the myths from the realities of the Cape Cod economy, in addition to its demographic and future challenges
• Optimize local tax dollars through resource and idea sharing
• Help create multiple economic opportunities to ensure that the Cape will be a diverse and vibrant community
• Identify and explore past successes that can serve as models, such as school system consolidations, Cape Cod Healthcare, previously established municipal resource sharing and new business development
• Track and comment publicly on current initiatives being discussed or attempted

Late last fall, the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce’s Economic Summit released a study conducted by Peter Francese, director of demographic forecasts for The New England Economic Partnership, concluding that the Cape’s year round population growth has virtually ceased after decades of double digit growth. Cape Cod, the study warned, is losing its working age adults, age 35–44 years, their children and early retirees. Young adults, for example, are relocating at a faster rate than elsewhere in Massachusetts. The study noted that communities historically have about ten years to address such trends and avoid dire economic consequences. Cape Cod Focus was formed as a result of this study. The next Economic Summit is scheduled for November 14 at Cape Cod Community College.  

Cape Cod, the study warned, is losing its working age adults, age 35–44 years, their children and early retirees. Young adults, for example, are relocating at a faster rate than elsewhere in Massachusetts.

The membership of Cape Cod Focus includes representation from all key Cape economic sectors including: creative, educational, research, retail, banking and insurance, healthcare, hospitality and government services. Members also include representatives of stakeholder organizations like: the Workforce Investment Board, Cape Cod Community College, Cape Cod Commission, Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce, Cape Cod Young Professionals and others.

Through its research, advocacy and public outreach (see attached guiding principles), Cape Cod Focus hopes to accomplish its goals by:

• Convening knowledgeable and concerned citizens, business people and community leaders
• Being flexible and open to all points of view with a bias for action
• Providing focus on key issues through open communication, advocacy, broad based discussion and interaction with elected officials
• Securing objective analysis of certain issues to promote greater understanding and appropriate action
• Tracking progress of key initiatives
• Generating ideas and asking questions that may challenge “business as usual” in the public and private sectors

Cape Cod Focus, in its work, pledges to acknowledge the successes of others, and help build community consensus without seeking credit or recognition for its efforts.