The newly blessed Central Jersey tourism region that borders Bucks County has major plans for the future, but not everybody is happy to be a part of it, writes Ginger Adams Otis for The Wall Street Journal.

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy signed a bill in late August that would highlight the often overlooked middle section of the state as a distinct tourism region. The region includes four counties: Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, and Somerset.

However, the law hints at possible annexation of other counties that geographically belong to Central Jersey but many consider them to be culturally part of the Jersey Shore – a change some locals would find difficult to stomach.

“We’re part of Central Jersey, sure, and anything that brings people to our area is good, but we’re Jersey Shore first,” said Sam Hammer, owner of the Crab’s Claw Inn in Lavallette, Ocean County.

Central Jersey wants to take advantage of the upcoming 250th anniversary of the 1776 signing of the U.S. Declaration of Independence to improve its visibility since some crucial battles during the American Revolution happened there.

Read more about Central Jersey in The Wall Street Journal.

_________