Commission allocates $40,000 to Yarmouth Chamber to operate Route 6 Visitor Center for 2025 season

The Barnstable County Board of Regional Commissioners voted March 12 to authorize a $40,000 allocation from the county license-plate fund to the Yarmouth Chamber of Commerce to support operation and maintenance of the Route 6 Visitor Center and rest area during the 2025 tourism season.

Mary Vilbon, identified in the meeting as executive director of the Yarmouth Chamber of Commerce, told commissioners the facility — referred to in the presentation as the Cape Cod Welcome Center between Exits 68 and 72 eastbound on Route 6 — served a record number of restroom users last year, reporting “over 20,000” restroom visits in a roughly four-and-a-half-month period. Vilbon said the visitor center operates Monday–Friday 9 a.m.–5 p.m., while some amenities are open daily 6 a.m.–8 p.m. during the peak season. She thanked Barnstable County, MassDOT, the Cape Cod Chamber and the Hyannis Rotary for past support and said the chamber has invested “over $75,000” in site improvements.

Commissioner motioned to allocate $40,000 from the license-plate fund to the Yarmouth Chamber; a roll-call vote was recorded as “Forrest votes aye,” “Berkshire votes aye,” and “Lyons votes aye.” The motion carried.

The allocation will fund management of restrooms and visitor services during the tourism season; presenters and commissioners said the center supports visitor information and local businesses while meeting a documented demand for facilities on Route 6.

The Yarmouth Chamber requested the funding at the commission meeting; the motion as recorded authorized an annual allocation for the upcoming tourism season.