About Us

The EDC focuses on improving workforce skills, supporting traditional and emerging industries, and improving regional infrastructure.  A large percentage of the Cape's workforce are employed in low-income jobs and lack the required skills to move into higher paying occupations.  Currently, nearly one-half of the Cape's economy consists of jobs in retail, hospitality and healthcare.  Healthcare offers a number of high paying occupations and attractive career paths but retail and hospitality are best known for lacking significant numbers of livable-wage jobs.  EDC support for higher-paying traditional industries such as health care and emerging knowledge-based industries such as renewable energy, sustainable design and development, and marine science and technology, reflect its belief that the growth of these clusters will help to create a higher-income economy for the Cape.

A strong economy and a skilled workforce also rely on adequate regional infrastructure to support the growth of new industries and to attract and retain skilled workers.  Adequate wastewater treatment, a sufficient supply of workforce housing, accessible public transporation, and vibrant mixed-use downtowns for instance all play major roles in the region's economy.  EDC support for wastewater treatment, updated zoning by-laws, village growth centers, and main street redevelopment  demonstrate its support for improved infrastructure and limited growth strategies that reinforce the Cape's culture and environment.