Wave Makers: Blue Economy Employer Forum

Wave Makers is a collaboration between the Cape Cod Blue Economy Foundation and Center for Community and Professional Education (CCAPE) to build on the challenges and opportunities experienced by Blue Economy employers, and which align with the Cape Cod Commission’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) and related initiatives.

Our most recent forum was held on Friday, February 13, 2026 Check back soon for a full write-up of our activities, insights and action items from that day.

Fall 2025 Wave Makers Forum

On Friday, October 31, 2025, the Wave Maker Forum attendees detailed four key areas of focus: workforce, housing, environment, and culture. Each section below represents these key areas followed by a section on small business challenges and resources. Each key area of focus provides challenges, opportunities, and resources for reference of active Wave Makers and partners across the Cape, Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket, and Plymouth.

The Cape’s blue economy thrives when people can live, work, and innovate here year-round.  The path forward requires regional collaboration, workforce investment, and housing reform — supported by clear communication and community engagement.

NEXT STEPS

  • Convene a Regional Blue Economy Action Coalition (Wave Makers) to align on priority “Initiatives in Motion” (ex.  CEDS housing, training, infrastructure initiatives) for businesses to understand impacts and engage and guide locally.
  • Develop joint funding proposals to expand regional training facilities and programs/certifications along with partnering with businesses to expand internships, apprenticeships, and retraining for youth and late-career entrants
  • Create a Blue Economy Awareness Campaign and use shared communications platforms for data, job boards, and blue economy storytelling.

The Wave Makers Forum is a collaboration between the Cape Cod Blue Economy Foundation and the Center for Community and Professional Education (CCAPE) at Cape Cod Community College. For more information on Wave Makers, please contact Katy Acheson at katy@capecodchamber.org. To learn about other employer forums and/or propose new ideas, visit CCape Employer Forums.

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Labor and Workforce Development

Challenges

  • Severe shortage of affordable and workforce housing.
  • Seasonal employment cycles and wage gaps limit retention.
  • Difficulty attracting and keeping skilled workers.
  • Limited training, certification, and testing centers on-Cape.

Opportunities

  • Establish regional training centers and certification pathways (HVAC, wastewater, solar, aquaculture).
  • Explore seasonal dorms, extended-stay housing, and transitional workforce options.
  • Expand internships, apprenticeships, and retraining for youth and late-career entrants.
  • Offer subsidized training and year-round employment incentives.

Data Cape Cod by the Cape Cod Commission distills information into digestible segments like this page with information about Labore Force and Earnings https://datacapecod.org/pf/labor-force-and-earnings/

The Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development support individual businesses through job boards, apprenticeship programs, training programs, and tax credits. https://www.mass.gov/orgs/executive-office-of-labor-and-workforce-development

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Housing and Infrastructure

Challenges

  • Severe shortage of affordable and workforce housing.

Opportunities

  • Regional workforce housing and zoning reform for mixed-use development.
  • Explore seasonal dorms, extended-stay housing, and transitional workforce options.

Housing to Protect Cape Cod is a coalition formed by Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce, Housing Assistance Corporation of Cape Cod, and Home Builders & Remodelers Association of Cape Cod. The mission is to empower our friends, family and neighbors to speak up for housing in towns across the region. https://housingtoprotectcapecod.org/

Data Cape Cod provides easy to understand graphics and data that demonstrates the housing characteristics in Barnstable County. https://datacapecod.org/pf/housing-characteristics/

Caitlin group photo

Environmental Resilience

Challenges

  • Wastewater, coastal erosion, and climate impacts on fisheries and waterfronts.
  • Fragmented municipal approaches; need for unified coastal management.

Opportunities

  • Coordinate wastewater, shoreline, and green infrastructure upgrades.
  • Promote environmental education for students, homeowners, and businesses.
  • Support renewable energy and water-tech workforce pipelines.

"Association to Preserve Cape Cod and Housing Assistance Corporation have undertaken a mapping project" called Grow Smart Cape Cod, "that uses the best available existing data and GIS technology to identify priority areas for natural resource protection and priority areas for affordable moderate-density housing development." https://growsmartcapecod.org/

The Cape Cod Commission published a Climate Action Plan with the intended purposes of improving "the region’s resilience to climate hazards; and [mitigating] climate change on Cape Cod through reducing net regional greenhouse gas emissions in support of the framework and targets established by the Commonwealth." See an overview or download the full plan. https://www.capecodcommission.org/our-work/climate-action-plan/

Arms3

Socio-Cultural and Community

Challenges

  • Childcare shortages, high cost of living, and low wages.
  • Cultural and language barriers reducing inclusion.
  • Low awareness of blue economy career pathways.

Opportunities

  • Formalize regional coordination across towns, educators, and industry.
  • Launch a “Blue Economy Awareness Campaign” to promote jobs and innovation.
  • Strengthen public-private partnerships and policy advocacy.

Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce's Childcare Taskforce created a Child Care Toolkit to provide tangible options to employers who are eager to support their working parents’ childcare needs. https://www.capecodchamber.org/your-chamber/public-policy/policy-priorities/housing-childcare-and-livability/childcare-on-cape-cod/

The Brazilian Resource Center work with the Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen's Alliance to provide multi-language fishermen training courses including boat safety and first aid. https://brazilianresourcecenter.org/our-programs/

WaterWORKS is a Blue Economy and STEM Career Exploration Day for Cape & Islands high school students. 400 students and 50+ organizations are invited to share career journeys through one-on-one conversations, interactive exhibits, and panel speaker sessions. https://bluecapecod.org/events/waterworks

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Economic Sustainability

Challenges

  • Small business growth constrained by startup costs and capital access.
  • Overreliance on tourism; need for economic diversification.

Coastal Community Capital is a community development financial institution. Since 1995, Coastal has supported Massachusetts businesses, providing millions of dollars in loans and creating and retaining over 5,000 jobs. Coastal lends directly, and if necessary, partners with the SBA providing up to 25-year, low, fixed interest rates for real estate acquisition and debt refi. Loans range from $5,000 to $20,000,000. Coastal also promotes economic development and business growth via free business mentoring and ongoing business workshops. https://www.coastalcommunitycapital.org/

MassHire Cape & Islands Workforce Board's Cape and Islands Regional Blueprint "provides an overview of regional workforce needs and serves as a useful resource for local employers, educators, and economic development partners in helping to reach our shared goals." Pages 17 through 22 cover industry and occupation data relevant to conversations brought up at past Wave Maker Forums. https://masshire-capeandislandswb.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Blueprint-June-30-2023-Revised-10-23-1.pdf

Join the Wave Makers

Join the ongoing conversation and work around blue economy employer issues on Cape Cod. Our next session is Friday, February 13 at Cape Cod Community College. More details at the link.

Post a Job or Internship

Submit your Blue Economy related work opportunities below. Submissions will be approved by Cape Cod Blue Economy Foundation staff prior to appearing on the jobs page. Jobs will be live for 60 days. Jobs may be resubmitted if still available after 60 days of previous submission.

Have ideas or questions? Reach out using the contact form below or email katy@capecodchamber.org