Business View Civil and Municipal | February 2021

75 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL FEBRUARY 2021 Cape May County, New Jersey More than just a beach destination I n Cape May County, New Jersey, you can have it all. Located along the southernmost tip of New Jersey, surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and the Delaware Bay, the area is known for its 30 miles of sandy beaches. But Cape May County’s administrative team have been working hard to make the Jersey Cape a year-long home for new businesses that are looking to make what they call the “Coastal Shift.” “The Coastal Shift is a recognition of a feeling of desire for people to have a better life-work balance, to live in places that have a high quality of life,” says Leslie Gimeno, Cape May County Director of Planning. “Where they can enjoy their families and they can also work productively. And Cape May County has that to offer.” In addition to the sun and sand, the county boasts historic sites and architecture, shopping and antiques, a bustling arts scene, nature trails, and an active food and beverage industry with breweries, wineries, distilleries, and many restaurants. Capitalizing on the Coastal Shift, along with the area’s many amenities, is how Cape May County plans to attract more and more businesses to its shore. “The primary goal is to bring new industries to the county that provide well- paying, year-round jobs,” Gimeno says. “A lot