Thornton Delivers ‘State of the County’ to Chamber

OCEAN CITY – Cape May County brought in $6.3 billion in tourism revenue in 2016, said Freeholder Director Gerald Thornton during his State of the County update to Cape May County Chamber of Commerce members at their business meeting at Port-O-Call Hotel in Ocean City April 20. 
“That is absolutely amazing for a county that has 96,000 year round residents,” said Thornton.
The county generated $547 million in sales tax revenue in 2016, which is $1.49 million a day, according to Thornton.
“Without the tourism tax in the state of New Jersey, it would cost every household in the state of New Jersey $1,525 more per year to live here,” he said.
Armed Security
The county plans to implement armed security in the county buildings in the next three to four months, including the administration, social services, and health department buildings, and Crest Haven Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Thornton said.
He mentioned former county Health Inspector Nicholas Thalasinos, who was murdered in the mass shooting in San Bernardino, Calif. at a county health department party Dec. 2, 2015, stating, “I knew him very well and we can’t take anything for granted.
“We have an obligation to protect you and also protect the county employees,” Thornton added.
Economic Development
Thornton cited a significant increase in wineries, breweries, and distilleries, as well as an increased demand for Cape May oysters.
He also praised investment at the Cape May County Airport with buildings and infrastructure, with an emphasis on the drone industry.
“The county is building an 1,800-square-foot facility which is set to open in May specifically for drone startups and has the capacity for about 10 startups,” said Thornton.
Also mentioned was the county’s joining Salem and Cumberland counties’ workforce development board after about 30 years of frustration with Atlantic County, according to Thornton.
Thornton reported between July 1, 2016 and March 31, 2017, over 150 individuals have registered at the One-Stop program in Wildwood for training programs. It costs about $4,000 per person to train on average, said Thornton, and it’s all federal funds.  
“We’re doing pretty good things here,” said Thornton.
Veterans’ Care
Thornton spoke of progress being made in relation to veterans’ care in the county. He told of the Veterans Choice Program, which allows veterans who need medical care to receive it within their community.
“The hospital is very supportive of us, and we’re working on this Vets Choice with (U.S. Rep. Frank) LoBiondo and his office and the hospital and the freeholders and the vets’ organizations.
“Vets Choice is the program that’s really needed,” said Thornton.
There are about 8,500 veterans and their families living in the county, he added.
County Budget
The county approved a $146.3-million budget Feb. 28, compared to last year’s budget of $151.2 million. The county’s tax rate is $218 per $100,000 of property assessment. The county received $39 million in grants and revenue, making the county’s total taxes to be raised $103 million, with $20 million of that for state and federal funds for roads and bridges, Thornton said.
Cape May County has 210 miles of roads and 27 bridges that it’s responsible for, he added.
“Honestly, those bridges were built back in the 1930s and it’s very difficult to maintain them today and it’s very costly,” said Thornton.
According to Thornton, the county had an estimate to replace all the bridges would probably cost about $700-$800 million.
Celebrations
Thornton highlighted the county’s 325th anniversary and the Cape May County Coast Guard Community Festival, slated for May 6-7 at the Cape May Coast Guard Training Center.
According to Thornton, the Coast Guard base generates $178 million a year in revenue to the county.
“That’s why it’s important we do whatever necessary to support the Coast Guard base,” he added.