Invest: Cape May 2021

Cape May County 2021 An in-depth review of the key issues facing Cape May County’s economy, featuring the exclusive insights of prominent industry and political leaders.

Cape May County: Known for its picturesque views along the Jersey Cape, Cape May County has long been a key tourist destination. But the county is more than just a quaint beach haven. Featuring a growing technology and innovation sector, strategic efforts are afoot to maximize what has been called the “Coastal Shift,” or the desire to live, work and play in a dynamic, forward-thinking market.

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Coastal Shift: Cape May County is well on the path to recovery, with more than tourism in its sights Situated at the southernmost tip of New Jersey, Cape May County is well on its way to a post-pandemic renaissance that will see the county bolster its tourism roots while transforming its economy to accommodate the jobs of tomorrow.

The push toward economic recovery from COVID-19 will take advantage of the county’s weather, historical roots and strong tourism amenities, coupled with an expanding technology and innovation sector to ensure Cape May County’s goal of creating a year-round home for both families and businesses alike. Termed the “Coastal Shift,” the county is uniquely positioned to meet the desire for high-paying jobs mixed with high quality-of-life offerings.

But it all begins with a recovery in the vital tourism sector that was initially decimated by the ongoing health crisis. Already showing signs of a bounce back, as vaccination efforts continue and pent-up travel demand soars, Cape May County is set for a busy summer season that is expected to fuel the local economic ecosystem.

“Cape May County is attracting interest in different business sectors due to a variety of factors that are very favorable for our county,” said Cape May County 4

| Invest: South Jersey 2021 | CAPE MAY COUNTY

Commissioner Vice Director Leonard Desiderio. “The trend toward outdoors open spaces along with our topranked beaches and investments we are making has really opened up a lot of doors. We are seeing record growth that has been accelerated in the post-pandemic world.”

Landscape With a year-round population that hovers around 92,000, Cape May County’s summer population climbs to as much as 600,000 to 750,000 as residents return to their vacation homes. The population spike is crucial to keeping the local economy going year-round. In addition to tourism-linked businesses like bars and restaurants, supermarkets, hardware stores and other local businesses all see material benefits from the tourist population.

During the pandemic, numerous reports and data indicate that those same summer residents began using their homes more frequently or even as their primary residence, supporting businesses outside the traditional summer season. That, in turn, has helped offset unemployment spikes.

Traditionally, the peaks and troughs of the county’s unemployment rate have fluctuated with the increase ( )

CAPE MAY COUNTY INTERVIEW

Banner forecast Fresh investment, tourism rebound set up Cape May for a banner year

Diane Wieland Tourism Director – Cape May County What differentiates Cape May County from the rest of South Jersey?

Cape May County is situated at the southernmost tip of New Jersey. We are surrounded by the Delaware River on one side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other. This allows us to have a different climate than even Atlantic County because we have the warm breezes from both the Delaware Bay and the ocean. Cape May County is referred to by meteorologists as the “Cape May Bubble” because we don’t have the same weather patterns as the rest of the state. For example, we get very little snow. The warmer weather has a great impact on when people can visit, what they can do outside, as well as the seasons for our agriculture and fishing industries.

What are the most significant investments underway in Cape May County?

The County Commons has taken a tired and Worn-out mall and turned it into a vibrant hub, transforming it into a mix of commercial properties and government offices. We see that as erasing some of the blight in retail and revitalizing Rio Grande, an important section of Cape May County. This introduces cohesiveness to the business district being developed in the area.

We are also seeing improvements on our boardwalks.

We’re seeing economic development dollars coming in to revitalize parts of the boardwalks. For many of our towns, the boardwalks are their downtown. There is constant talk of the demise of downtown areas across the nation but we’re reinvesting into and recreating ours.

How does tourism in Cape May County today compare to pre-pandemic levels?

Using the occupancy tax data provided by the New Jersey Treasury, we were up 12.7% for the first quarter of 2021 versus 2019. In September and October of 2020, we began exceeding 2019 numbers. Things are filling up

as people feel more ready and comfortable to get out.

Historically, when the occupancy rates go up, so does the rest of the economy as local businesses benefit from that activity. We’re expecting 2021 to be a banner year.

What is the greatest challenge facing South Jersey’s tourism industry?

Labor is the biggest challenge right now, and it’s a nearcrisis situation. So many of our businesses depended on J-1 visa employees. Because of COVID, there has been a great slowdown in the visa approval process.

Typically 5,200 J-1 visas are approved for New Jersey, and about 2,500 of them come to Cape May County and are employed through our tourism industry. The other side is the current additional unemployment benefits and the resulting disincentives for work. www.capitalanalyticsassociates.com

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Leonard Desiderio Commissioner Vice Director/Mayor Cape May County/ Sea Isle City

How did the local government help to foster economic activity during the pandemic?

We gathered business owners from across every sector in Cape May County and came up with a plan to reopen not only Cape May County but the entire state.

The governor was impressed with our reopening plan, which helped to protect not only our residents but the millions of visitors who come to Cape May County. Cape May County was one of the first counties in the state to actually reopen.

How is Cape May County’s economy performing today?

The Cape May County economy remains strong, and I’m predicting this is going to be a banner year. We’re going to have the equivalent of two summers of activity in one. Properties are selling at record highs, rentals are at an all-time high, more people are moving to Cape May County than they have in decades, and the county is well-positioned for the future. People are so happy to be out again and we did this together.

What is the state of Sea Isle City’s economic health?

Sea Isle is a beautiful community that is witnessing a great deal of construction with record home and condo sales as a great number of individuals are deciding to make Sea Isle their home or part-time home. We are now getting back to our normal activities for the summer.

What challenges are businesses facing?

Labor is our No. 1 challenge. Help for small businesses, restaurants and hospitality is at an all-time low. However, we are not missing a step. Everyone is receiving the same quality of service they’re used to receiving but it may take a few more minutes because of the lack of help. There is such a demand to go out and have a good time, and small businesses are doing their best to accommodate everyone. Many visitors don’t even realize that fewer people are working because we’re so fired up to meet the demand.

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| Invest: South Jersey 2021 | CAPE MAY COUNTY

Wildwood Beach is a highly popular tourist destination in Cape May County.

( ) and decrease of its summer population. Since 2015, and prior to the pandemic, the jobless rate has declined to under 6% in the summer months and increased to 15% in the off-season year-over-year. In April 2020, the rate shot up to nearly 28%, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, amid the pandemic. As conditions improved, the rate stood slightly above 7% in October 2020, just shy of traditional pre-pandemic summer unemployment levels, a good sign for the local economy.

As its largest industry segment, tourism is big business in Cape May County. In 2019, tourism expenditure in the county reached almost $7 billion. Prior to COVID-19, Cape May County averaged more than 10 million visitors a year. Despite a heavy hit from the pandemic, the county’s attractiveness as a destination was underpinned in 2020, as the local industry fared much better than other regions. Although direct tourism spending decreased by 21.1% last year, that still outpaced, by far, the statewide loss of 36.8%, the county reported.

CONSTRUCTION CAPE MAY OVERVIEW

According to the county, on average, the overnight visitor spends about $374 per day, per person, spread across all sectors measured. Figures for 1Q21 further fuel optimism of a strong recovery for the tourism industry.

According to the New Jersey Treasury, Occupancy Tax collection in the quarter indicated an increase in overnight stays in Cape May County. The increase for January, February and March 2021 was 12.7% above the same period in 2019 and 26.9% better than 1Q20, the county reported. April Occupancy Tax collection saw an increase of 23.7% over April 2019, indicating a strong rebound entering the summer season.

Following tourism, the fishing industry is another pillar of the local economy. The port of Cape MayWildwood is among the largest on the East Coast and ranks among the Top 15 ports in the country in commercial landings. According to Rutgers University research, “In 2018, the port of Cape May-Wildwood which is the largest commercial fishing port in New Jersey, landed 101 million pounds of seafood worth 66 million dollars. This port ranked 14th in pounds landed and 10th in value for all ports in the United States and in the Northeast (Maine to Virginia) ranked second in pounds harvested and value and is the center of fish processing and freezing in New Jersey.”

Rounding out the economic ecosystem are eco- and agri-tourism, with ecotourism itself generating nearly $700 million in annual revenue. Cape May County is one of the top birding hotspots in North America with spring and fall bird migration attracting international visitors to the region. The World Series of Birding, in its 38th year, draws teams from across the country as well as teams from the United Kingdom and beyond.

In another sign the economy is rebounding nicely, the county is home to 20 breweries, wineries and distilleries, with multiple new businesses opening in the past year. Agri-tourism continues to grow with local businesses sourcing locally grown produce and products for production of spirits and farm-to-table menu options.

As the county’s economy diversifies further, academia will be pivotal in providing the skilled workforce these industries require to establish continuity and success.

Atlantic Cape May Community College, which has a strong presence in the county, is among the partners ensuring a skills-ready labor pool. “Atlantic Cape Community College is proud to partner with Cape May County in its economic development initiatives,” said Dr. Barbara Gaba, president of Atlantic Cape Community College. “Through our work at the Cape May County campus under the leadership of Maria Kellett, Campus Dean, we collaborate with the county,

Vicki Clark President Cape May County Chamber of Commerce

What differentiates the Cape May County business community from the rest of South Jersey?

Cape May County’s economy is based on our tourism industry. During COVID, we did exceptionally well, looking strictly at our tourism economy. Cape May County was viewed as the place to escape to. The New Jersey tourism impact report shows that we outpaced all other counties in the state. This is a good indicator, even in a year in which the tourism and hospitality industry was devastated by the pandemic. Our economy was only down 21.1% over 2019 numbers. To put that into perspective, in 2019, Cape May County’s tourism economy measured $6.9 billion and in 2020 the number was almost $5.5 billion.

What are some ways in which you hope to see the economy diversify going forward?

Tech Village is an offshoot of the UAS (unmanned air systems) development that Cape May County had been working on for several years. Cape May County was hosting UAS conferences, and attendees of these conferences were mostly tech companies. That led to good outcomes in the development of other technology fields as well, like medical devices. The development of one industry transfers to other industries. Cape May County is a low-population peninsula with lots of open and undeveloped space. This is attractive for UAS test flights. However, a challenge for us is the unavailability of a ready-to-work workforce with higher qualifications.

What is your outlook for the next two years?

Cape May County will rebound from the COVID pandemic as long as we continue to move forward on this path. Cape May County will rebound in two to three years, which should be faster than the rest of the state and the country. I know that the national forecast is that between 30-35% of small businesses may have gone or will go out of business due to COVID-related causes but I don’t think it will be that high in Cape May County.

We think that percentage will be closer to 10% here. www.capitalanalyticsassociates.com

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CAPE MAY COUNTY OVERVIEW

Moody’s maintains an Aa1 rating with a stable outlook for Cape May County local employers, business owners and local chambers to provide support, education and training that meets their needs now and in the future. The establishment of the bizHub, the Unmanned Aircraft System program (drone), and the additional nursing classes offered at the Cape May County campus this fall are just a few examples of how we are leading the way to support local economic diversification. We appreciate the opportunity to serve Cape May County and its emerging initiatives.”

From an investor’s perspective, Moody’s Investor Services assigned its Aa1 rating to the Cape May County Bridge Commission and maintained the same rating on the county’s general obligation unlimited tax (GOULT), citing a stable outlook. “The Aa1 rating reflects the county’s very large tax base, above-average wealth levels, and satisfactory finances. The rating also reflects the fact that the county is dominated by the tourism industry but is making efforts to diversify,” Moody’s reported in November 2020. “We do not see any material immediate credit risks for Cape May County; while New Jersey (A3 negative) has been at the center

of the pandemic, the county has seen only limited impact. In fact, while some non-tax revenues have been negatively impacted, demand for shore property has spiked materially, which will have a long-term positive effect,” the agency said.

Summer residential market figures suggest that the Coastal Shift is indeed happening in the county. As of May 2021, county home prices were up 41% compared to 2020 with a median price of $550,000, Redfin reported.

As a coastal market, Cape May County properties are at risk of floods and storm damage, Redfin pointed out. As such, the county’s robust infrastructure improvement plans are a foundational tenet of Cape May County’s long-term success. ( )

Employment:

53,920

Demographics breakdown: Year-Round Population: Summer Population: White:

92,039 Over

750,000

85%

Hispanic or Latino:

8.1%

Black or African American:

4.8%

Others:

2.1%

Median household income Median property value:

$67,074 $300,500

CAPE MAY COUNTY INTERVIEW

Optimistic With better-than-expected tourism numbers and investment in economic diversity, the future looks bright

Gerald Thornton Commissioner Director – Cape May County

Where does tourism activity stand after the pandemic?

We’re going to be promoting our tourism businesses, and we are glad to be able to get them fully open. We average about 10.2 million visitors a year in Cape May County, so it’s important that we have all of our buildings, facilities and services open. That said, we will follow the medical protocols that are required. We’ve been working with the Chamber of Commerce and businesses have supported us by following the medical protocols so that everyone feels safe. Still, we can’t afford to have another closed season. Overall, however, we had anticipated that about 30% of our businesses would be reduced or go out of business but, fortunately, it hasn’t been too bad. We recovered somewhat toward the end of last summer. In total, the sector was down under 20%, which was better than our anticipated 30%.

What other industries are significant for the county?

Our second major industry, which most people don’t realize, is fishing. We are the second-busiest fishing port on the East Coast. We even have a fishing loan program.

I think we’re the only county in the state that still has that program and it’s very viable.

We also are making major investments in economic development. We’re investing in the airport’s industrial park, refurbishing the roads in that park. Through another program, we bought the old shopping center in Rio Grande and we’re investing about $25 million to refurbish that and bring it up to date. That should generate about 100 full-time jobs and about 50 parttime jobs.

How has residential activity developed in the county?

It’s interesting. One thing people should understand is that 48% of the homes in Cape May County are second homes. One thing that people love is that we

have a strong open-space program to maintain the environment and atmosphere of the county. We’re very supportive of our farmers and the farming community, which makes it a rural county with a lot of the amenities of a tourism economy.

What are the prospects for employee-related travel post-pandemic?

The world has significantly changed because of Zoom.

It’s very obvious to me that our county personnel will not have to travel a long way to go to a meeting. You can have a Zoom meeting that is very productive. You don’t have to travel to Trenton, which is two hours up and two hours back. Unless it’s a significant conference that you need to attend for some reason, that kind of travel is going to be curtailed. www.capitalanalyticsassociates.com

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CAPE MAY COUNTY OVERVIEW

In 2019, tourism expenditure in Cape May county reached almost $7 billion.

( ) County budget For fiscal year 2021-2022, Cape May County passed a budget of $182 million. The approved tax rate for 2021 stands at 23.4 cents for every $100 of assessed value, an increase of less than a penny over last year. To make up for the COVID-19 losses, the 7/10th of a penny increase enables the county to maintain essential services as well as fund county capital improvement projects such as improvements in the Cape May County Airport and the County Commons project. Operational expenses throughout most county departments were restricted to 2020 funding levels and did not increase year over year. Additionally, the 2021 budget has fewer full-time and seasonal employees than last year’s budget. The budget also set aside funding for vaccination efforts. As of June, Cape May County had registered the secondhighest COVID vaccination rate among all New Jersey counties. Almost 60% of the county’s population is fully vaccinated, according to the Center for Disease Control.

“Cape May County continues to have the secondlowest average property tax bill among counties in New Jersey,” said Cape May County Commissioner Director Gerald Thornton. “We have experienced losses due to COVID-19 that caused a slight tax increase but it was not as bad as it could have been. We are also seeing signs of a strong recovery and will continue to make 10

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smart financial moves to ensure we protect our county taxpayers both today and in the future.”

Infrastructure Infrastructure improvements are key to supporting the Coastal Shift in Cape May County. Protected by what locals call the “Cape May Bubble,” the county’s location near the water allows for milder temperatures than surrounding areas while also creating a continuous breeze, contributing tremendously to the success of the area’s tourism-driven economy.

County bridges also connect the mainland to several of the barrier islands found in Cape May County. As such, long-term investments in the county’s infrastructure are critical for the recovery and long-term success of its residents and industries.

In the past decade, the county has invested more than $30 million in bridge maintenance and repairs. Updated in February, Cape May County’s Comprehensive Bridge Replacement Plan has identified 28 countyowned or operated bridges that have either passed their serviceable life or are in need of improvements, according to the Cape May County Department of Public Works and the Cape May County Bridge Commission.

These guided bridge replacement projects are expected to occur over the following 15 years.

CAPE MAY COUNTY OVERVIEW

The unprecedented nature of COVID-19 is expected to have only a short-term impact on the implementation of the plan, the county reported. Fortunately, since 2017, the county has actively dedicated portions of its tax levy toward its infrastructure and bridge replacement projects while also working to attract state and federal funding.

The phased nature of the design and construction of bridge replacement and improvements is expected to have “modest and manageable” effects on taxpayers, according to the Bridge Replacement Plan. By factoring in natural environments coupled with high quality of life offerings, namely access to water and recreational opportunities such as fishing, the county’s new bridges are expected to be aesthetically pleasing and functionally sound infrastructure projects slated to usher in the Coastal Shift of new residents and businesses coming to Cape May County.

Among other infrastructure assets, the Cape May County Airport (WWD), located in Lower Township, is a key player in the growth of Cape May County’s technology and innovation sector. The 1,000-acre general aviation airport sees approximately 39,000 airplane and helicopter takeoffs and landings in a typical year. Consisting of corporate aviation, recreational fliers, charter and small-craft owners, the bulk of the air traffic is concentrated in the peak travel months of May through September.

A pivotal moment for the airport predated the COVID-19 disruption but has since proved a critical economic development tool that has attracted new tech-based industries to the region. With the first of two proposed buildings completed in 2020, the airport’s Tech Hangars have been the catalyst of the county’s economic diversification strategy. The $6.2 million,

Cape May County Airport sees about 39,000 airplane and helicopter takeoffs and landings in a typical year 20,000-square-foot complex serves as an innovation hub for tech businesses in Cape May County and a major component of bolstering the Coastal Shift notion of year-round high-paying jobs.

As of June 2021, the Tech Hangars first building is home to three distinct tech companies. Telemetry research firm Cellular Tracking Technologies and provider of tech solutions and services D-Tech USA were the first two companies to move into the Tech Village. In October 2020, regenerative medicine company Aedicell became the latest tech- and bio-based firm to settle in the Tech Village, marking a key economic development win during a highly volatile cycle.

Technology and innovation As the tourism economy begins its gradual ascent to prepandemic levels, Cape May County’s continued efforts to diversify its economic base are ramping up, as seen by the investment activity that landed at the Tech Hangars ( )

Wayne Reichle President – Lund’s Fisheries Cape May County is centrally located in the mid-Atlantic fishing grounds. During the winter months, water temperatures cool and draw fish south. We harvest several species migrating south, and then again after they turn around to head back north.

Right off our coastline, New Jersey is rich with sustainable fishery resources: two MSC-approved squid fisheries, menhaden, monkfish, summer flounder, black sea bass, porgies, sea scallops, and several other species. Our vessels will fish from the Gulf of Maine to Cape Hatteras but the majority of our landings are caught off the New Jersey coast. In general, Cape May is in a very special place.

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CAPE MAY COUNTY OVERVIEW

Brett Ewald Director – NJ Audubon’s Cape May Bird Observatory Despite the loss of almost 3 billion birds in North America since the 1970s, the local, near-term outlook is hopefully optimistic with an increased awareness of nature that COVID engendered.

Organizationally, our embrace of virtual space gave us a much greater ability to deliver our mission. We had almost 400 people virtually for our online festivals last spring and fall. By continuing to use this technology, we will have the ability to expand in-person events and reach an even bigger audience. We are excited about the possibilities. We will come out of COVID stronger than we were going into it.

County Cornerstones: 1 County Commons Purchased by the county in 2018, County Commons, a mixed-use facility suitable for public and private use, is a major revitalization effort happening in Rio Grande and slated to attract businesses and employment opportunities while also providing the county room to expand offices and operations. County Commons features tenants such as Tractor Supply, Rent-A-Center and a state-of-the-art VA Clinic for area veterans. Its family-friendly entertainment offerings include a movie theater, bowling alley, arcade and more.

“We are excited to work with the Cape May County government to not only bring back to life the former theater at the new County Commons Center but to improve its quality by adding bowling, a restaurant and bar, a state-of-the-art golf simulator, retro arcade, party rooms and an outside beer garden,” said Clint Bunting, principal partner at Stone Harbor Theater, LLC and Cape Square Entertainment, LLC. 2 Revolving Fishing Loan Program As its second-largest industry, fishing is a key economic sector in the county. As such, the Cape May County Revolving Fishing Loan Program provides Low-interest loans to the commercial fishing industry. As the only program of its kind in the Garden State, the purpose of the loan is to support the Cape May County fishing industry and stimulate economic growth. Over the years more than $5 million in loans have been approved to support the commercial and recreational fishing industry. “With 12

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the help of the Revolving Fishing Loan, we were able to repower several of our vessels over the years. It has been very helpful to have access to this support for our industry,” said Tracie Cicchitti, owner of The Starlight Fleet.

According to the county, the Revolving Fishing Loan Program will lend from $10,000 to $300,000 to owners who have a project slated to create or retain jobs in the fishing industry.

3 Cape May Zoo From African lions to snow leopards, the Cape May County Park & Zoo is a favorite among locals and visitors and has earned accreditation by the American Zoological Association (AZA) and participates in the Species Survival Plan (SSP) for conservation of endangered animals worldwide. Featuring free yearround admission, the zoo is home to more than 550 animals representing 250 species spanning 85 acres of exhibits. “The Cape May County Zoo is one of the state’s top attractions and one of those hidden gems found in so many of our towns throughout New Jersey. It’s difficult to compete with our pristine beaches but the Cape May County Zoo is a perfect complement to add to the visitor experience,” said Jeffrey Vasser, executive director of the New Jersey Division of Travel and Tourism.

Altogether, the park and zoo cover about 220 acres.

The zoo has consistently been recognized by various publications for its outstanding traveler reviews. Most recently, the zoo made Trip Advisor’s Travelers’ Choice in 2020.

CONSTRUCTION CAPE MAY OVERVIEW

( ) in 2020. Technology, life sciences and aviation are among the key sectors slated to drive the Coastal Shift and overall diversification of the county’s economy well after the pandemic is contained. This is further outlined in the guiding tenets of Cape May County’s Economic Development Program that center around business support services, entrepreneurial development and new business attraction with an emphasis on growing the emerging technology and innovation sector.

Approximately a year after its completion, all of Tech Hangars is fully leased by tech-based companies.

Aviation-related services, such as Unmanned Aerial Systems, commonly known as drones, have been identified as an innovative economic segment slated to provide job growth opportunities for the local workforce.

“Drone usage is growing rapidly, and it spans various industries, including public safety, traffic management, construction, public works and land surveying, filmmaking, photography, structural inspections, and real estate,” Atlantic Cape Community College reported. The local community college is bolstering its Unmanned Aircraft System program in anticipation of the rise in job demand. “As more industries adopt this technology, the need for service and aircraft operators is steadily increasing, and job demand is on the rise,” the college reported.

Looking Ahead As Cape May County begins to emerge on the other side of the pandemic landscape, the future looks bright for New Jersey’s southernmost community. Most COVIDrelated restrictions have been lifted and tourists are flocking back to the county’s shores. A lingering labor shortage is expected to remain a short-term challenge for local businesses ramping up operations.

However, first-quarter figures point to a successful recovery for the tourism sector. The county’s growing technology and innovation sector are expected to catalyze the Coastal Shift by providing economic diversity, highpaying jobs and year-round operations. These efforts coupled with key infrastructure improvements position the county among the most dynamic markets to live, work and play in South Jersey.

Capital Analytics would like to thank Cape May County for its contributions in compiling this chapter. To learn more, visit their website at: www.capemaycountynj.gov

Jay Gillian Mayor Ocean City

What differentiates Ocean City?

Ocean City is based on tradition. Generations of families come and vacation here year after year. Many of these families purchase second homes and later become year-round residents. We have a terrific reputation for safety and an excellent school system. The city is also easily accessible to visitors traveling from anywhere in the region or nation. We have been fortunate that the stewards before us remained true to what Ocean City has always been. We do not have games of chance or alcohol and that really sets us apart from every other seaside community.

What are some recent developments for the city?

We have new investment in housing, hotel rooms, restaurants and retail. My priority as mayor is to reinforce our infrastructure to ensure we have the best facilities in the state. The city is committed to an aggressive and groundbreaking flood mitigation program to protect everybody’s investments in Ocean City. We are working on back-bay dredging and beach replenishment. We are also building up our marshes to sustain our waterways and protect our shoreline. In terms of the business community, the fact that we’re investing in infrastructure helps attract real estate investors, and we are No. 3 in the state in the value of ratables. Ocean City is in a very good position in terms of real estate, and average sales prices are at an all-time high.

What are your expectations for 2021?

Provided the weather remains good, I see no reason why we can’t have a banner year. We are a seasonal community but our seasons are getting longer. The government’s stimulus packages have helped greatly with our businesses here. At Gillian’s Wonderland, we are ahead of last year and our biggest problem now is recruiting. Part of this is because of the huge amount of money that is being handed out by the government.

But our guests have now returned, and Wonderland is thriving. www.capitalanalyticsassociates.com

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