$29M In Summer Beach Revenue, Up 7%, Reported For Monmouth County

WALL, NJ — Allaire Community Farm in Wall was the setting for Monmouth County officials to look ahead to fall tourism - and to report on a successful summer season.

The Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners, local officials and tourism partners welcomed the fall 2022 tourism season and shared summer 2022 tourism statistics at a press conference Thursday.

“The fall is one of the best times of year to visit Monmouth County. From our Grown in Monmouth farms hosting activities to enjoying our beautiful park system, there is always something to do,” Commissioner Director Thomas A. Arnone said in a news release about the event.

Arnone reported that more than $29 million was reported in beach revenue to the county, an increase of 7 percent over 2021 revenues.

"We credit this to a dry summer season and the incredible work of our municipalities and tourism industry partners,” Arnone said.

Wall Mayor Kevin P. Orender also spoke at the event:

“We had a great summer and it was great to see everyone out enjoying themselves and I am glad people decided to stay local,” Orender said.

Fall attractions in Monmouth County were outlines: pick-your-own farms, fall festivals, pumpkin patches, corn mazes, and petting zoos.

Evelyn Mars, executive director of the Jersey Shore Chamber of Commerce, thanks the officials and Allaire Community Farm, "which is dear to my heart,” she said.

“The Chamber is here to support business large and small, and the county has been instrumental in helping with grants and the CARES Act that has helped our business move forward after the pandemic,” she added.

JoAnn Burney and Sean Burney, owners of Allaire Community Farm, expressed their appreciation of county support for their nonprofit,

"We wouldn’t be where we are without their support. We are a nonprofit organization with 95 percent of our animals being rescues, and we focus on residents with special needs and veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). We invite the public to come visit and support our farm," they said in the news release.

The county also announced that a second round of Community Development Block Grant funding has become available.

Nonprofit organizations and microbusinesses (small businesses with 5 employees or less including the owner) may be located anywhere in the county but must meet other program criteria to qualify, the news release said. Each applicant may apply for up to $20,000 towards the reimbursement of eligible expenses associated with preparing, preventing, and/or responding to coronavirus.

For more information about Monmouth County happenings, go to tourism.visitmonmouth.com. You an also learn about the Monmouth County Small Business and Nonprofit COVID Grant Assistance Program there.