Central Jersey is Finally on the Map

By Anthony Birritteri, Editor-in-Chief On Aug 24, 2023

Central Jersey does exist; and legislation signed today by Gov. Phil Murphy proves it by requiring the state’s Division of Travel and Tourism to redraw New Jersey’s tourism map to include the region and promote it in all regional marketing campaigns, including publications and on VisitNJ.com, the state’s tourism website.

“Today, we settle the debate once and for all, Central Jersey exists – period!” Murphy said during a morning press conference in Somerville. Touting the region’s Revolutionary War history and its well-known stature for being a hub of innovation and discovery, the governor said the region is “a cradle of Revolutionary history and of revolutionary possibilities.”

“It is time for the world to discover everything this region has to offer. From bountiful farmlands to one-of-a kind wineries – like Old York Cellars to Unionville Vineyards, to name a couple – to our scenic natural parks like Duke Farms … we are taking a new step in sharing these wonders with the whole wide world,” Murphy said.

Senator Andrew Zwicker, one of the prime sponsors of the bill, said that some debates, such as the Taylor ham vs pork roll naming issue, never end. However, the debate concerning Central New Jersey’s existence does. “After 235 years, we can declare that it exists. Central New Jersey will literally be on the map. … This is long overdue.”

Central Jersey can now be recognized as the hub of tourism, innovation, and history that it is and always has been, Zwicker said. “The legislation will help promote travel to our quaint river towns, canal villages, scenic walking sites, harvest festivals, breweries, and our Revolutionary War sites.” With tourism in the area down 20% when compared to pre-pandemic levels, Zwicker also said that placing Central Jersey on the tourism map is about economic development.

Assemblyman Roy Freiman, another prime sponsor of the bill, added, “This bill signing is not about printing new maps. This is about opportunity. It is about supporting our local businesses … and seeing them thrive. This is also about families that want to see this area remain as bucolic as it is today. They don’t want to see the development of warehouses. They want to see the open spaces remain.”

Murphy added, “At the end of the day, the creation of this map and the [increasing] identity [of the region], will be a magnet to draw more bodies, more commerce, more tourism and more dollars to Central New Jersey.”

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