The new area would officially include Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, and Somerset counties.
The ever - elusive Central Jersey might soon get the attention it merit .
lawmaker have proposed a bill that would officially put Central Jersey on touristry mapping , NJ.comreports . The new area would admit several regions of the Garden State , including Hunterdon , Mercer , Middlesex , and Somerset county . The bill also states thatmore county could be add to the area , but it would be evaluated in the futurity .
The area has alreadyreceived Jon Stewart and Governor Phil Murphy ’s blessing , and now it only needs to be made prescribed . According to Senator Andrew Zwicker , the lawmaking would be crucial to apportion necessary funds to the area and improve its touristic appealingness . Other areas of the state , like the Jersey Shore , already attract huge numbers of tourist and traveler , and according to the bill ’s athletic supporter , it is time to shine a light on less pop regions .
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Central Jersey might not have a buzzy shoring to flaunt , but it does have plenty of attractions , from its fertile ethnical and artistic heritage to a more agricultural - centrical experience . Astate touristry reportthat Zwicker pointed out evince that from 2020 to 2021 , New Jersey saw a 14 % increment in tourism . Compared to 2019 , though , that remain down 17 % . Recognizing and promoting Central Jersey could facilitate in bringing the touristry levels back to those before the pandemic , and it would also help the economy of the state by tally more jobs and creating more chance .
The disputation over whether or not Central Jersey actually exists , and where to draw its boundaries , is an old one . Some have order that it also includes domain like Union , Monmouth , and Ocean county , while others say the state should simply be separate into North Jersey and South Jersey . Governor Murphy has previously arguedfor a grouping that includes all three of the debate counties as well as the four officially defined ones in the bill .
If passed , the state would be demand to grant federal tourism funds to the areas and area that are more in need of economic easing . to boot , New Jersey would also have to consecrate at least 10 % of the land touristry division ’s yearly budget to promote areas roll around agri - touristry , include farm - to - mesa eating house , farms , and foxiness beverage Godhead , among others .
For the bill to be signed into law , it would need to be passed by both the Senate and Assembly beforehand . After that , the governor would determine whether to pass it as a law or not . For now , it is n’t clear yet when the vizor will be considered .
