It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Atlantic Highlands Historical gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Atlantic Highlands, NJ is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
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“I just started using always best care for my dad The certified aids that came from the agency were fantastic This situation is new for myself and my dad For having no complaints from my dad is a plus So ty again for such an easy transition for my dad Much appreciated Susan”
“Such an amazing company with employees who truly care about their business and those they take care of. Caretakers are top notch and customer service is great and they are available whenever you need them.”
“It is a pleasure to work for someone that genuinely respects caregivers for the job we do!”
“I am a current client of this provider I can’t begin to tell to you how pleased I am with Always Best Care. Not only have they placed the perfect caregiver with my mother they also take care of the billing and when I need to speak to a receptionist they are always available. Thank you!!”
“I cannot thank Always Best Care enough for helping us find an ideal Assisted Living Facility for my mother. We moved to the city a month ago and had little idea about the local senior living communities. I’d like to thank the highly experienced and knowledgeable caregivers of Always Best Care for helping our family during the difficult time.”
“I am a current client of this provider Your manager is always nice and flexible, and the caregivers are sweet and wonderful”
“I am a current client of this provider We are very happy with Always Best Care. They do 24hr care, and the caregiver is excellent. I would recommend them.”
“I am a current client of this provider We have hired Always Best Care. We have them for 5 to 6 weeks now. My mother practically does everything herself, but sometimes they might fix her her lunch, there might be a little bit of shopping, and they take her to her appointment. My mother is fine. The hours are fine. She got the hours that she requested. I know she is being billed on her credit card. They have been very helpful and very cooperative. The women always call back.”
“I am a current client of this provider We hired Always Best Care two weeks ago for my mom. The woman comes in three days a week to assist my mother with doing the wash, keeping the house picked up, and just talking to her. She’s wonderful. We interviewed several people, and there was just something about the way they were organized in their presentation and their follow up. that impressed us. They were a level above the other ones that we spoke to. They really listen to you about your needs and work very hard to match the caregiver up with what you’re looking for. We were very impressed with them.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Hartshorne Woods Park, Buttermilk Valley Entrance with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Christine's or visit Strauss Mansion Museum, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Atlantic Highlands, NJ, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Atlantic Highlands, NJ understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Atlantic Highlands, NJ 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
Sarah GriesemerEditor's note: This is ...
Editor's note: This is the second in a series highlighting dining in small towns at the Jersey Shore.
Perched near the northern tip of Monmouth County, across the bay from busy New York City, sits Atlantic Highlands.
Fewer than 5,000 people live there, spread across a borough that's smaller than 5 square miles.
Despite its size, there is no shortage of places to eat. From coffee produced at the highest level to organic Mexican cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner, here's a look at some of what Atlantic Highlands has to offer.
Bags of coffee beans from around the world sit inside Fair Mountain Coffee Roasters, awaiting their turn in the roaster.
A coffee tree grows in a pot, showing customers how those beans grow.
Owner Steven Almonte sees his roastery and espresso bar as the final stop for the coffee, and he prepares every cup with care.
"It's our responsibility to deliver what the growers send us," he said. "We want to make sure people get a chance to taste that."
Fair Mountain's espresso bar serves one kind of coffee per day, its country of origin on display. The roastery sources coffee from Central, South and Latin America, Africa, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and beyond, depending on what is available at any given time.
"We take people on a journey," said Almonte, who was a customer of the roastery before taking over in 2022 and adding an espresso bar where customers order pour-overs and cappuccino.
With a scientific background in research and development, "the mechanics of (roasting and preparing coffee), the variables, the machinery, it's all very intuitive for me ... so all of this was second nature to me," he said. "It allowed me to focus my attention into the artistic part of roasting coffee the way (former owner Greg Lewis) did it."
Fair Mountain does not offer sugar, only cream-top milk. Almonte, a competitive cyclist who values nutrition, said he does not feel comfortable serving his customers ingredients he does not consume.
"There is a moral decision on how would I feel about charging you money to sell you something I wouldn't consume myself," he said. "We, as a small company, can have an impact. It's an extra 70 cents we'd rather not make."
Almonte and his staff control every aspect of coffee making, from the grind setting ("how fine or coarse has a direct impact on how the coffee tastes," he said) and water ratio to the weight of the coffee.
"That consistency is needed when you have nowhere to hide" he said. "We don't have whipped cream. We don't have sprinkles and syrup, so each coffee deserves that level of attention in order to really showcase what the farmers did.
"If someone is looking for a true coffee experience, we are the place," Almonte said.
Go: 171 First Ave.; 732-708-0800, fairmountaincoffee.com.
At the age of 18, Emilio Vicens left his home in Puebla, Mexico, with hopes of building a life for himself in the United States.
He did not know anyone, nor did he speak English, and the only job he could find was washing dishes at a pizzeria in Jackson. Vicens was not used to men being in the kitchen — seeing the restaurant's owner in an apron surprised him — but he wanted to learn. He spent weeks teaching himself to make pizza well.
"I wanted to learn and have my own place," said Vicens, who went on to own a short-lived Mexican restaurant in Browns Mills before cooking at Anna's Italian Kitchen and Nicholas Barrel & Roost in Middletown, and Copper Canyon and Gaslight in Atlantic Highlands.
Then the opportunity arose to open a restaurant on Center Avenue in Atlantic Highlands, and encouraged by his family and alongside his brother, Roberto Vicens, he went for it. Zoe's Emilio's Kitchen, which serves organic Mexican food "with a twist," opened in 2022.
"I really loved watching (early customers) eating the food," Vicens said. "They went out and spread the word, then came back with more people."
The food and flavors are inspired by childhood memories, Vicens said, pointing out a pork torta — a sandwich with origins in Puebla — made with black bean mousse and roasted tomatoes, and El Goyo, a breakfast dish of rice and egg dish plated to resemble a mountain in Mexico.
"I feel (at) home, when I see that," he said.
The kitchen makes everything from scratch, an homage to how he remembers food being prepared in Mexico. There is pasilla pepper-glazed calamari, a roast beef sandwich with jalapeno mayo, a mushroom sandwich with hibiscus jam, and roasted chicken with poblano sauce, among other dishes.
"Our experience from back home, we want to give it to the community," said Vicens, who plans to open a second restaurant in the near future. "It's the experience I want to bring to this restaurant."
Go: 77 Center Ave.; 732-204-7311, zoesemilioskitchen.com.
Nicolina Falco's bakery, which does indeed sit on a corner, is a place where baked goods and community come together.
Falco's passion for baking blossomed during the pandemic, when delivering treats was a way to see friends and family. Word of mouth led to her Greek yogurt bagels, Pop Tarts and scones being sold at Cafe CoCo and Anthropologie in Shrewsbury; Coffee Corral in Red Bank; Oak Hill Farms in Holmdel; and Birdy's Cafe & Artisan Market in Harvey Cedars.
Needing more space as demand grew, she opened her bake shop in 2023, and now offers cakes, cookies, scones, doughnuts, brownies, biscuits and more. This winter, she expanded the menu to include soups, sandwiches and breakfast sandwiches on weekends.
Cozy Corner Bakery is filled with family photos, mementos and cookbooks, which customers are welcome to enjoy with a cup of coffee and a slice of pound cake. Falco also welcomes community members to her bakery for themed movie nights and classes.
"I want people to feel the joy in here with me," Falco told The Asbury Park Press in 2024. "I just try to put good out in the world, whether that's baked goods or just being a good person.
Go: 1 West Ave.; 732-996-2965, cozycornerbakery.com.
Send restaurant tips to [email protected], follow on Instagram at Jersey Shore Eats and subscribe to her weekly newsletter.
There's been so much negative news lately when it comes to travel. From airlines to trains and even by road, it's as if New Jersey isn't allowed to get a break.Not to mention costs. Every year, prices seem to creep higher and higher. In fact, it's gotten to the point where commuting by ferry has become a very good alternative for those trying to escape high costs and daily delays.Yes, the ferry costs a little more to travel on, but it's really not by much. Especially for daily commuters who are just looking to get to and from t...
There's been so much negative news lately when it comes to travel. From airlines to trains and even by road, it's as if New Jersey isn't allowed to get a break.
Not to mention costs. Every year, prices seem to creep higher and higher. In fact, it's gotten to the point where commuting by ferry has become a very good alternative for those trying to escape high costs and daily delays.
Yes, the ferry costs a little more to travel on, but it's really not by much. Especially for daily commuters who are just looking to get to and from the city without having to deal with any hassle.
I myself have commuted on the Seastreak Ferry from New Jersey to New York City. I have to tell you, there's no comparison when it comes to the quality of the commute.
You have time to relax with no expensive tolls or bridges, or even headaches from heavy traffic. And when it comes to the train, you just never know what kind of delays you'll be hit with.
Which is why I was pleasantly surprised to see the latest investment take place at one of Seastreak's Ferry terminals that will highly benefit those with electric vehicles.
Brand new at their Atlantic Highlands port is a series of charging stations. Even better? You can leave your vehicle charging while you head out on the ferry.
This, to me, is the right kind of investment we should be making for both our daily and casual commuters. Hopefully, services like this will expand elsewhere to make it even easier for those with electric vehicles.
And as I mentioned above, the ferry really isn't too much more expensive when compared to things such as commuting by rail. Yes, it's a bit more expensive, but the divide isn't as great as it once was.
It's one of the best hidden hot spots for New Jersey Shore locals located in Highlands, Monmouth County.
The above post reflects the thoughts and observations of New Jersey 101.5 Sunday morning host & content contributor Mike Brant. Any opinions expressed are his own.
...
A marketing plan under development for northern New Jersey’s Highlands aims to separate the region from the state's long-standing stereotypes: mobsters, fist pumps and reality-show drama.
The branding effort, led by national place-branding firm North Star and funded by the state's Highlands Council, is focusing on fresh air, open space and a break from leisure as usual. Firm officials said the region could be a draw in the short term to licensed, and mostly urban, drivers seeking a short-term escape.
Rather than the cliches cemented by legendary meme generators "The Sopranos," "Jersey Shore" and "The Real Housewives of New Jersey," the Highlands can be positioned as offering fresh cultural, agricultural and recreational discoveries in a unique yet accessible natural retreat, they said.
The ultimate goal, according to officials from both the firm and the Highlands Council, is to generate tourism to help boost a regional economy depressed in some ways by the strict development restrictions in place to protect the region's watershed and preserve its natural resources.
“The belief is that tourism can provide that economic viability,” said Will Ketchum, CEO of North Star.
Still, the push for tourism comes with complications. As it stands, the "Highlands" of Northern New Jersey are not very well-known compared to some of the obvious competition: the Hudson Valley, the Catskills and the Poconos.
The region covers parts of 88 municipalities in seven counties, cutting northwest from Hunterdon County through to Bergen County. However, most of the counties and municipalities are non-conforming when it comes to the Highlands Regional Master Plan, the implementation arm of the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act of 2004 that helped define the region in New Jersey. Therefore, most of its towns are not natural promoters.
Search for "New Jersey Highlands" on Google and the first thing it notes is that Highlands is a municipality in northern Monmouth County, adjacent to the borough of Atlantic Highlands. Neither town is in the Highlands Region of New Jersey, however.
Another complication is that the Highlands Region goes beyond New Jersey. A geologic formation, the greater Highlands Region covers about 5,500 square miles from Connecticut deep into Pennsylvania. Less than a quarter of the federally recognized Highlands Region is in New Jersey, according to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service records.
Highlands Council Planning Manager Maryjude Haddock-Weiler, who recommended the branding and marketing plan to the council in early 2024, said then that New Jersey's Highlands could benefit from a firm identity.
"When you think about the Pinelands, you have a specific image in mind. Even when you think about the Meadowlands, you probably have an image," she said "But when you think about the Highlands, it's really hard to grasp what it is we are."
Highlands Council members recognize the contradiction in the Highlands Act's own policies. The act's strict environmental regulations prohibit the expansion of sewer service areas in much of the region, limiting the development of new infrastructure to support tourism, including hotels. Many municipalities in the region have also been less than accommodating to bed and breakfasts and other short-term rentals, with many introducing policies amid their boom in the past decade to restrict them in the name of protecting neighborhood safety and suburban tranquility.
Highlands Council members in January discussed the possibility of lobbying efforts on local governments to push for rezoning to support the tourism industry in appropriate areas. However, the plan for now is to have people come, but not necessarily stay, according to North Star officials. In the near term, the focus will be on day trips or short stays to build awareness and demand, Ketchum said.
"There is Crystal Springs [Resort in Vernon] and places like that, but there just not enough of them in our view," he said.
The branding effort stems from the 2021 New Jersey Highlands Economic Sustainability Plan, which called for a unified regional identity to drive economic growth, according to Highlands Council records. The branding and marketing plan was expected to cost about $130,000, but the council approved up to $200,000 in total spending to account for any additional work it may want done and other expenses, records show.
The contract was awarded and work began in the spring of 2024, with North Star working alongside the Highlands Council and the Economic Sustainability County Coalition to gather background information and organize outreach efforts, records show. After that, the firm moved on to conduct community surveys, cultural asset assessments and interviews with residents, farmers, business owners and local officials to capture the character of the Highlands and shape a brand.
732-483-4611
