For Immediate Release: Barnstable County License Plate Grant Funding Awarded

Barnstable County License Plate Grant Funding Awarded

$30,000 in grants awarded to support local economic development initiatives

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – The Cape Cod Commission, on behalf of the Barnstable County Board of Regional Commissioners and the Barnstable County Economic Development Council (BCEDC), is pleased to announce micro grant awards through the Barnstable County License Plate Grant Program. 

Three organizations were awarded $10,000 grants by the Barnstable County Board of Regional Commissioners on Wednesday, November 13, 2019:

• Town of Yarmouth to conduct a feasibility study to identify future uses, including potential art studios and classes, and perform building upgrades to accommodate expanded use at the former Laurence MacArthur Elementary School.
• FORWARD - Friends or Relatives with Autism and Related Disabilities to fund a task force and market analysis to evaluate the need for new affordable supportive rental housing for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and to determine the most effective use of resources in addressing the built environment and service support needs of this population.
• WCAI – the Local National Public Radio Station for the Cape, Coast & Islands to fund a radio/online reporter covering the impacts of climate change across the Cape Cod region.

The Barnstable County License Plate Grant Program, funded by proceeds from the sale of Cape Cod and Islands specialty license plates, is intended to support regional priorities for economic development and achievement of long-term economic diversity and sustainability.  Specific regional priority projects and initiatives to advance the region’s economy are identified in the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS), a plan developed with Cape Cod Commission staff support under the guidance of the Barnstable County Economic Development Council and with contributions from a broad range of stakeholders. Projects proposed for funding under this License Plate Grant Program are required to align with the CEDS.

In response to a Request for Proposals issued in August, 15 micro grant applications were submitted.  Applications were reviewed by the BCEDC grants subcommittee, approved by the BCEDC board and recommended to the Barnstable County Board of Regional Commissioners.

“The Barnstable County License Plate Grant Program is critical to implementing key strategies outlined in the recently approved Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy,” said Kristy Senatori, Cape Cod Commission Executive Director. “We are pleased with the strong response which demonstrates the region’s commitment to promoting a resilient economy.”

“The Barnstable County Commissioners congratulate the recipients of the license plate micro grant awards,” said Ron Bergstrom, Chair of the Barnstable County Board of Regional Commissioners. “These are small but important steps in increasing economic development on Cape Cod.”