By Allison Perrine
MONMOUTH COUNTY – As Memorial Day weekend approaches – the unofficial start of summer at the Jersey Shore – Monmouth County officials have already gotten the (beach) ball rolling.
At the Avon-By-The-Sea boardwalk Tuesday morning, local, county and state officials came together for a press conference celebrating the summer months ahead and the tourism they bring to the state. This year’s kickoff was particularly exciting with the lifting of social distancing and capacity limits imposed during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I am excited for this tourism season and getting our restaurants and businesses back on track for a great summer,” said Monmouth County Commissioner Director Thomas A. Arnone, liaison to Monmouth County Tourism. “I can’t wait to see all of our Monmouth County beaches and businesses full of happy visitors from near and far.”
With that excitement comes a few challenges, specifically with the unemployment rates that still exist throughout the state, said Arnone. Last year, state mandates prohibited indoor dining through the entire summer season which caused “a major blow” to many county-based seasonal businesses and year-round restaurants. According to Arnone, the tourism industry lost “thousands” of jobs and food and beverage spending was down $186 million.
Now that restaurants and seasonal businesses have fully reopened, the issue going forward will be to help them remain operational due to staffing losses imposed by current restrictions as well as financial burdens caused by the pandemic.
To help, the county has established a new program to help offset costs of new hires for business owners in Monmouth County. This New Hire Incentive Program through the Monmouth County Division of Workforce Development will allow businesses to hire individuals in need of training. The county may pay for up to 50 percent of the new hire’s salary up to $10,000 while they learn the skills of the job, said Arnone. Any interested businesses must request the assistance before hiring the individual and may call 732-683-8850 to learn more about the eligibility requirements.
“I am really desperate for service employees,” said Robert Kash of Great Restaurants NJ, who owns multiple restaurants throughout Monmouth County. “Now, we have people knocking down our doors but, unfortunately, I have to close off sections of my restaurants because I cannot supply the demand. I do not have enough employees.”
Despite this struggle, Dana Lancellotti, president and CEO of New Jersey Restaurant and Hospitality Association, said she is excited to move forward with the 2021 summer season “with the freedom to gather, celebrate and enjoy the activities that make life special here at the Jersey Shore.”
And while Memorial Day weekend activities may often be associated with fun, barbecues, beach visits and social gatherings, county officials remind everyone of the true meaning behind the holiday – to honor military members who have died. And to celebrate veterans everywhere, Monmouth County Clerk Christine Giordano Hanlon reminded residents of the growing popularity of a program for military members, their families and veterans.
“Especially during the upcoming Memorial Day weekend, we honor and remember our military members and families, veterans and those who have made the ultimate sacrifice,” said Hanlon.
As part of the Honoring our Heroes Military Appreciation program, the clerk’s office will issue veteran’s IDs and Gold Star Parent cards to veterans and Gold Star parents which offer special discounts at local retail shops. It has become more popular over the past five years and now includes “hundreds” of business participants throughout Monmouth County.
“I am thankful for their support of our military members and their families. I encourage veterans and local businesses to visit our website for more information,” she added. Businesses interested but not already involved in the program can visit monmouthcountyclerk.com for more information.
The article originally appeared in the May 27 – June 2, 2021 print edition of The Two River Times.
