2012 AUGUST-MASHPEE EDIC Plan for Executive Park

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6 Mashpee faces a relatively competitive market for industrial development even within the Cape. A recent industrial land survey by the Cape Cod Commission identified 432.2 acres of industrially-zoned land outside of water protection districts. Existing industrial parks in Bourne, Falmouth, Hyannis, Mashpee, and Sandwich have 201 acres of industrial land inventory. The small manufacturing base and the Cape's disadvantages for most manufacturers all contribute to this weak industrial real estate market. However, since park owners acknowledge that they have not actively marketed their properties, recent sales activity may understate the full potential. Institutional Resources The institutional capacity of Mashpee to undertake economic development activity is a critical resource in O efforts to promote economic opportunities for low- and moderate-income residents. Communities around the U.S. have built effective organizations which assist in the economic development process. Cities and towns have established redevelopment authorities, economic development commissions, local development corporations,and community development corporations. The Town of Mashpee is increasingly seen as one of the communities on the Cape most open to economic development activity as long as it conforms to its environmental standards. This has led to improvements in the Town's image as being supportive of business. • An Economic Development Coordinator was hired to address economic development in the Town. • The Town's Economic Development Committee has been innovative and, in a very short timeframe, has created a commercial and industrial property database, placed signs in the community, developed a web site on the Internet, and has developed an employment pool of Mashpee residents. • The Town has developed a guide for business that clearly details the permitting process in the Town. This guide represents an example of how the Town has streamlined its permitting process. • The Town has successfully worked with Cape Cod Coffee on its effort to access state financing through the Massachusetts Community Capital Fund. • The Town has successfully applied for a range of state grants including the Economic Development B Partnership program grant that funded the Mt.Auburn Associates strategic planning study. • The Town has successfully coordinated the sale of the Mashpee Industrial Park and the establishment of a public/private partnership between the new owner and the Town. • The Mashpee Chamber of Commerce has grown to over 200 members in six years. While more retail- oriented than tourism-oriented, the Chamber has a strong relationship with the Town and has promoted the new arts center, instituted welcome signs, and put the Chamber on the Internet. The diversity within the Town of Mashpee has led to a certain level of fragmentation that may affect the Town's ability to develop and implement a common vision for the community's economic future. Mashpee has both affluent and poor residents, retired residents who are concerned about the fiscal condition of the Town and the potential impacts of development, and many young, working families,concerned with jobs and education. The many second homeowners have different concerns than do the year-round residents. Residents with strong environmental concerns are often at odds with developers. Finally, unlike many other Cape communities, it is also racially and ethnically diverse. This unique social and cultural context provides the Town with both opportunities as well as barriers to future development. 16 Q