New Jersey coastal towns invest millions in recurring beach nourishment

New Jersey coastal towns are investing millions of dollars into recurring beach nourishment projects to combat erosion. The Army Corps of Engineers is currently completing a $19.5 million project to pump 1.6 million cubic yards of sand onto Ocean City's beaches, while Sea Isle City recently finished a project involving 479,000 cubic yards of sand.

Additional federal funding is being directed toward other areas, including a $99 million combined allocation for Ocean City, Strathmere, Sea Isle City, Avalon, and Stone Harbor, and a $37 million project targeting Monmouth Beach, Sea Bright, and Long Branch. Despite the high costs and the fact that sand often washes away on a four-to-seven-year cycle, these projects are maintained to protect the state's vital tourism economy.

In 2024, New Jersey's tourism and visitor economy generated $24.7 billion in GDP, supporting over 507,000 jobs. This economic output represents approximately 2.9 percent of the state's total GDP, making the industry a significant driver of the regional economy.