Cape Cod Chamber news release:
The Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Town of Barnstable and the Cape Cod Blue Economy Foundation, Inc., announced today the receipt of a $1 million grant to create Expedition: Blue! - a major step toward the regional branding of the Blue Economy.
Funded by Governor Baker’s Seaport Economic Council, Expedition: Blue!will create a network of interconnected permanent installations at sites that tell the story of the Cape region’s connection to the sea, our place in world ocean research and discovery, our fishing and aquaculture heritage, and our strong inventory of blue economy institutions and industries, among other topics.
“Capitalizing on the millions of guests we receive annually, we will tell the story of our region’s maritime heritage but more importantly, link that story it to existing and future activities that explain our Blue Economy”, said Wendy Northcross, Cape Cod Chamber CEO. “This ‘Expedition’ will also show how interconnected we are as a region and how important water and coastal resources are to our well-being.”
The Town of Barnstable’s support for the project was critical to a successful grant application, and will act as fiscal agent. “Recognizing the growing acceptance of a Blue Economy for regional prosperity, the Town of Barnstable is proud to collaborate on such an important project,” said Mark Ells, Barnstable Town Manager. “The story to be told is one of resilience, sustainability and we hope to inspire the next generation of scientists, aquaculturists, engineers, technicians and creative entrepreneurs to participate in our growing blue economy.”
“More than a collection of roadside plaques or kiosks, this project proposes storytelling through an ‘expedition’ that will encourage discovery and participation in a larger narrative of the Blue Economy, with a more deliberate way of seeing the region’s timeless ties to water resources, as well as their importance to in a modern economy,” said the Chamber’s Blue Economy Project Manager Leslie-Ann McGee.
The Chamber been working with Cambridge Seven to develop initial design plans, tapping their experience in creating the Gloucester Harbor Walk, a model for Expedition: Blue! The Chamber expects to work with the 24 towns in the Blue Economy region and private organizations on site selection, which is expected to begin this spring. Full project completion is targeted for late 2020.
The Cape Cod Blue Economy Project is an initiative of the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce and its subsidiary, the Cape Cod Blue Economy Foundation. The project aims to diversify the region’s economy and employment, while working to sustain our environmental and coastal resources. View the Blue Economy Project video:http://www.bluecapecod.org/blue-video.
The Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce is a 1,272-member organization that advocates on behalf of business to strengthen and promote regional economic vitality while addressing related cultural, environmental and community concerns.