Is the debate over Central Jersey settled? After 235 years and 90 days it will.
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SOMERVILLE – It's official: Central Jersey exists.
Gov. Phil Murphy on Thursday signed the legislation requiring the state's Division of Travel and Tourism to re-draw the New Jersey tourism map to create a “Central Jersey” region and to promote the region as a destination for both tourism and innovation in all regional marketing campaigns.
Central Jersey will be comprised of, at minimum, Somerset, Hunterdon, Middlesex and Mercer counties.
“Today, we settle the decades-old debate once and for all: Central Jersey exists,” Murphy said at the bill signing ceremony at the Wallace House and Old Dutch Parsonage.
The historic setting, Murphy said, shows that in Central Jersey "history exists comfortably along with the future."
Central Jersey, Murphy said, is both a place of Revolutionary history and "revolutionary possibilities."
The governor also emphasized that Central Jersey, besides being a tourist destination, is a home to innovation, from Rutgers and Princeton universities to pharmaceutical and biotech companies.
"There's no place like this in America," Murphy said.
More: This website leaves no doubt that Central Jersey exists
But the official designation of Central Jersey is more than just lines on a map, said Assemblyman Roy Freiman, D-Somerset. "It's about opportunity" and supporting the economy in an area with a rich and continuing history of innovation.
The rest of the world will now know, said the assemblyman who co-sponsored the legislation, that "New Jersey is more than just the Shore."
"Central Jersey exists because it is unique," Freiman said
State Sen. Andrew Zwicker, D-somerset, another co-sponsor of the bill, also said the legislation is more than promoting tourism and reversing the 20% decline in tourism since the pandemic.
"This is really about economic development," he said, adding that Central Jersey "is the heart of our innovation economy."
“After 235 years since the founding of our great state, Central Jersey is finally on the map,” Zwicker said.“While the very existence of the middle of our state has long been the subject of debate, we are long overdue in designating Central Jersey as the hub of tourism, innovation, and history that it is. This law will promote travel to our quaint river towns and canal villages, scenic walking sites, harvest festivals, breweries, and more Revolutionary War sites than you’ll find anywhere else.”
More: It's about time Central Jersey is formally recognized | Deak
Zwicker also thanked Brad Fay, chief communications officer of Somerset County, for bringing to him the idea of officially designating Central Jersey.
Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, D-Middlesex, a lifetime resident of Central Jersey, said "it really is a unique place."
"Central Jersey is blessed with beautiful destinations and a rich history," Coughlin said. "We will see a terrific return on our investment to attract tourism, including economic growth and job creation.”
Coughlin said the official designation of Central Jersey hit home with a sign on Interstate 287 that said, "Welcome to Central Jersey."
The law takes effect in 90 days.
Email: mdeak@mycentraljersey.com
Mike Deak is a reporter for mycentraljersey.com. To get unlimited access to his articles on Somerset and Hunterdon counties, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Central Jersey exists: NJ Gov. Phil Murphy signs tourism bill
