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

As you are probably aware, legislation was recently introduced to raise the State’s minimum wage to $15.00 per hour. As a result, it is important for us as a chamber to take a position on the matter. Being able to articulate our position to our members, our board, our elected officials, and the media is critical. The Greater Toms River Chamber of Commerce opposes an increase in the minimum wage to $15.00 per hour at this time. We believe that government should not have the right to impose wage requirements on private business owners. Our economy relies heavily on small businesses - especially those in the retail and hospitality sectors. An increased minimum wage will adversely affect those businesses because of likelihood of wage compression and hampered job creation and opportunities for young people and low-skilled workers. An increased minimum wage will also likely mean a decrease in the number of available work hours and job training. Additionally, if our small business owners incur more expenses, they may need to pass those expenses onto the consumer raising the cost of goods sold. We are in favor to policy alternatives such as a trainee wage at or below the current minimum