March 2016 – Greater Toms River Chamber of Commerce

Get the Squeeze on Lemonade Day 2016

Last year, we celebrated our inaugural edition of Lemonade Day Toms River. Over 250 kids from our community developed, designed, built, and ran a lemonade stand on a beautiful July day. In the process, they learned the best practices of business - to save, spend, and share. This year, we want to double the number of kids who participate in our 2nd annual Lemonade Day Toms River on Saturday, July 9th. In an effort to enhance the 2016 experience, Townsquare Media, along with Lemonade Day Toms River sponsors, are planning an information session at the Pine Belt Arena on Saturday, April 9th from 8:30-11am. Here’s the premise - no matter who you are: You are a parent of a child who would like more information about Lemonade Day Toms River 2016 - join us! It’s free and there will be community businesses and nonprofits represented around the room. The Lemonhead will be there for photo ops and backpacks will be available for pick-up (pick yours up if you have already registered for this July’s Lemonade Day OR register on-site on Saturday, April 9th). And perhaps best of all, you can learn more about the Engage Toms River $10,000 Lemonade Day

Tourism now a $4.6 Billion Industry in Ocean County

TOMS RIVER – Tourists love Ocean County more than ever, with record numbers of visitors spending time and money here in 2015. Tourism now injects $4.6 billion into the County’s economy, up from $4.3 billion in 2014. “There is no question that tourism is the number one industry in Ocean County,” said Freeholder Joseph H. Vicari. “These numbers prove that tourism is not only strong, but is growing.” A report issued by the state Division of Travel and Tourism confirms what county officials had predicted: tourism figures are climbing three years following Superstorm Sandy. Ocean County now accounts for more than 10 percent of all tourism dollars generated in the state. “We’ve seen a 5 percent increase in tourism dollars in only one year,” said Vicari, who serves as liaison to the Ocean County Department of Business Development and Tourism. “We fully expect to see this number grow with each passing season.” Only Atlantic and Cape May counties generated more dollars in 2015. By comparison, Monmouth County tourism economy stands at $2.4 billion, about half of Ocean County’s total. “More and more visitors continue to be attracted to our 44 miles of white sandy beaches, the Barnegat Bay, the Pinelands