Each year, the Cape Cod SCORE Small Business Awards gives us a chance to reflect — not just on business success stories, but on the people and principles that drive them. This year’s theme, “Thriving on Our Own Terms,” is more than a motto. It’s a roadmap for Cape Cod’s future.
Small businesses aren’t just part of our economy — they are the economy. From shell fishermen and HVAC crews to graphic designers, yoga instructors, and innkeepers, our region is powered by risk-takers and community builders. These businesses make Cape Cod vibrant, resilient, and unmistakably local.
But we’re navigating a complex economic moment. Inflation continues to drive up operating costs. New federal tariffs are creating supply chain pressure — especially in construction and marine trades. Meanwhile, state and federal funding sources are tightening. These challenges aren’t theoretical; they’re showing up in your invoices, your staffing decisions, and your bottom lines.
So how do we move forward?
We do what Cape Cod has always done: we adapt. We innovate. We lead — not by waiting for ideal conditions, but by designing solutions that reflect our needs, our values, and our potential.
That’s why the Chamber is investing in regional self-sufficiency:
- Tourism Districts are being developed across the region harnessing the unique character of our Cape Cod villages from Provincetown to Falmouth. By tailoring strategies at the local level, we keep more tourism dollars working for us — year-round.
- A Multi-Use Events Facility in the Mid Cape is in the works, not just for youth sports, but to bring trade shows, tournaments, and expos to the Cape during the quieter months. This means more overnight stays, more business for restaurants and retailers, and better use of infrastructure that taxpayers already support.
These initiatives are about more than tourism. They’re about strengthening the commercial tax base, spreading opportunity across seasons, and reducing the pressure on residents — in other words, thriving on our own terms.
Looking ahead to summer 2025, the tourism outlook is strong. Visitor volume remains high, though spending is becoming more cautious. Labor remains tight, especially as we continue to face severe housing constraints for seasonal and year-round workers. These trends point to a critical truth: we can’t rely on the summer economy alone. We have to use it as a springboard to build broader economic resilience.
To the small business owners reading this: you are not alone. The Chamber is advocating for capital access, workforce housing, and smarter economic development. Organizations like SCORE are standing shoulder to shoulder with you.
Cape Cod is no longer waiting for outside permission or rescue. We are shaping our future — boldly, locally, and together.
Let’s keep building the kind of Cape economy we believe in.