County Beat: Building Cape Cod’s economy through supporting the arts

http://www.barnstablepatriot.com/article/20160303/NEWS/160309753

Posted Mar. 3, 2016 at 6:46 PM

Growing the local economy requires leveraging our special assets, like the beaches, historic villages, sand dunes and nature – without overdoing it and ruining those assets. In discussing the issue of economic development at Wednesday’s meeting of the Assembly of Delegates’ Standing Committee on Economic Affairs, one important asset that helps support the Barnstable County economy kept popping up: the arts.

But first let’s begin with a brief overview of the local economy. Leslie Richardson, chief economic development officer for the Cape Cod Commission, provided members of the committee with an overview of the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy for Barnstable County.

Overall, she reported, employment is showing improvement, but wages are still lagging. They’re much lower than the average for Massachusetts, and lower than the U.S. average.

Adjusted for inflation, weekly wages in Barnstable County have increased just $48 since 1990. “The wage picture is still pretty tough on Cape Cod,” Richardson said. That’s a problem, given increases in the cost of living and housing.

Brewster delegate Edward Lewis noted that local zoning laws often restrict job and wage growth. That would be because people retire to the Cape and don’t want it to change. They don’t want businesses coming here. It’s an “I’m here now, close the door” mindset. “Zoning really affects the costs of housing and the types of businesses you have,” agreed Richardson.

So development on Cape Cod calls for a balancing act: fostering business and growing the economy while preserving the special qualities that make Cape Cod Cape Cod. According to Richardson, the question is, how do we build on our assets without undermining them?

Which brings us to Julie Wake, the recently appointed executive director of the Arts Foundation of Cape Cod, who also made a presentation. She was joined by Bruce Bierhans, chairman of the foundation’s board of directors. They were there to discuss proposed funding by the county to the foundation. That funding is currently $5,000, down from $25,000 last year. It’s proposed that the $5,000 be repeated in the next budget. Wake outlined the foundation’s many efforts to promote year-round arts programming, and said her goal is to be the United Way for the Arts – funding local arts groups through grants, investing in creative projects and connecting people in the arts community.

Wake sees the arts as an important economic driver for the region. “I feel that the delegates agree that arts and culture are right up there with tourism,” said Wake.

It’s a cultural asset that can be leveraged for economic growth. “We all want to be surrounded by a rich cultural environment,” explained Wake.

Wake thinks it’s important for members of the arts community to have a place at the table in the early planning stages of development projects so they can influence the design, landscaping and architecture. People tend to see the arts as an expensive add-on, but it brings economic value, she maintained. Incorporating the arts into civic projects also helps support professional artists.

Wake commented after the meeting that she thinks the arts attract people to the Cape, including young people. Earlier, Brewster Delegate Edward Lewis bemoaned that very problem, noting that Lower Cape towns struggle to attract and keep new teachers. Young teachers who move to the Cape find there’s nothing for them to do on the weekends or in the evenings, and move away. But the arts scene in Wellfleet is very strong, and attracts young people, noted that town’s delegate, Ned Hitchcock.

Wake said she hopes local governments continue to make the arts a priority – not just to attract summer visitors, but all year round.

“The arts are sometimes overlooked, yet they add tremendous value to the community. Young people and families will flock here if there is a rich community of arts and culture. I’m just trying to get the word out,” she said after the meeting.

Yarmouth delegate Suzanne McAuliffe urged Wake to do just that. “It’s good to have new fresh energy,” she said. The committee voted to recommend the current funding for the AFCC.