Cape Cod Blue Economy Foundation awarded 2026 Economic Development Partner of the Year
The Cape Cod Blue Economy Foundation was awarded Economic Development Partner of the Year by MassHire Cape & Islands Workforce Board at their Annual Meeting held on June 17, 2026.
- Economy
Centerville – The Cape Cod Blue Economy Foundation was awarded Economic Development Partner of the Year by MassHire Cape & Islands Workforce Board at their Annual Meeting held on June 17, 2026.
“The CIWB is thrilled to honor the Blue Economy Foundation as the 2026 Economic Development Partner of the Year. This recognition celebrates the organization's leadership, innovation, and commitment to advancing opportunities within the blue and green economies. Through continued collaboration on initiatives such as WaterWORKS and the Big Blue Conference, our partnership continues promoting sustainable economic growth and career pathway education." - Kara O’Donnell-Galvin, Executive Director, MassHire CIWB.
At WaterWORKS 2026, the Foundation’s annual blue economy career day held at Cape Cod Community College, the Foundation collaborated with MassHIRE CIWB to create several panels of speakers from many blue economy business sectors. Moderated by Justin Grota, Workforce Development Manager at CIWB, each panel discussed the challenges and opportunities as employers and employees on Cape Cod, providing students with wide-ranging perspectives on working in various industries.
At Big Blue, Green Tomorrow 2026, the Foundation’s annual industry conference, which was held at Falmouth High School this year, O’Donnell Galvin organized and led a fireside breakfast chat with local educators Lee Moynihan from Sturgis West, Michael Looney from Mashpee Middle-High, and Janet Rocha, Falmouth High, discussing current approaches to STEM education on Cape Cod.
Over the past twelve months, the Foundation partnered with Cape Cod Community College, MassHire CIWB, and MassHire Cape & Islands Career Center, as well as individual contributors, to host the Wave Makers Employers Forum, nurturing a vibrant and valuable space for blue economy employers to collaborate on potential solutions to regional challenges facing both employers and employees.
###
About the Cape Cod Blue Economy Foundation, Inc.
Established in 2017, the Cape Cod Blue Economy Foundation, Inc. supports the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce initiative to promote and sustain a maritime-focused economy of Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket, and southern Plymouth County. The Foundation organizes, hosts, and fundraises workforce and business development programs with a focus on water-based careers and industries. Learn more on bluecapecod.org.
About the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce
Founded in 1922, the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce, Inc. is a non-profit, membership-based organization that advocates on behalf of businesses to strengthen and promote regional economic vitality while addressing related cultural, environmental and community concerns. The Chamber serves as Cape Cod’s Regional Tourism Council and supports economic and business development regionally. The Chamber is home to both the Cape Cod Blue Economy Foundation and Cape Cod Climate Change Collaborative. Visit capecodchamber.org to learn more.
Contact:
Katy Acheson, VP of Community Impact
Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce
Katy@capecodchamber.org