Cape Cod Would Get $935K In Funding From MA House Budget

CAPE COD, MA — The Massachusetts House of Representatives recently agreed to a Fiscal Year 2025 budget, passing the bill onto the state Senate with multiple funding measures that bring dollars to Cape Cod.

Rep. Dylan Fernandes said there is $935,000 in state funding for the Cape and Islands in the FY2025 Massachusetts House of Representatives budget.

“Delivering results for the people I represent is the most important part of this job, and this $935,000 in funding delivers on key district priorities,” said Fernandes.

“The amendments I passed will support many of the attributes that make our community special by investing in fishing families and healthy oceans, boosting our research and education economy, providing healthy recreation and after-school activities for children, and strengthening Cape Cod’s economic competitiveness.”

Among the funding is $60,000 for Cape Cod YMCA to support their efforts to build a YMCA facility on the Upper Cape.

The planned construction of the Upper Cape YMCA would expand the facility’s capacity to offer a wider range of activities and programs.

Rep. Fernandes said he also fought for a $700,000 funding tranche for healthy oceans and local fishermen.

Of that, $500,000 will be directed to the Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen’s Alliance to procure sustainable fishing equipment and adopt sustainable fishing practices. A further $150,000 was directed to fund shellfish propagation on the Cape and Islands, supporting a culturally, environmentally and economically significant industry.

Finally, $50,000 was earmarked for the Martha’s Vineyard Fishermen’s Preservation Trust to support their food distribution program and otherwise support the fishing industry on-island.

The House also adopted a $100,000 budget amendment for Marine Biological Laboratory’s research and educational programs. These funds will be used to support ongoing research projects, enhance educational outreach initiatives, and further solidify Wood’s Hole’s status as a world leader in ocean research.

“The MBL is grateful for the state’s support for our world-renowned research and training programs, which help bolster the state’s economy by bringing 1,400 scientists and students to Woods Hole each year,” said Dr. Nipam Patel, Director of the Marine Biological Laboratory.

“We thank Representative Fernandes and Chairman Michlewitz for their efforts to ensure that the MBL has the programs it needs to continue to make the MBL and the state of Massachusetts a leader in biological, biomedical, and environmental sciences.”

The Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce could also receive $75,000 in funding if the budget passes, with the money slated to expand workforce development programming and help train commercial drivers on Cape Cod, officials said.

The legislation now moves to the Senate for approval, something that could happen by the end of May.