The Arnone Report: Made In Monmouth Returns This Weekend

By Freeholder Director Tom Arnone

Hello, everyone!

We have a lot of exciting events and programs in the coming weeks and months. However, I want to take the time this week to write about one of our biggest and most popular events returning this weekend – Made in Monmouth!

The 8^th Annual Made in Monmouth will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. this Saturday, April 13^th, at the OceanFirst Bank Center at Monmouth University in West Long Branch. We are anticipating an even bigger crowd this year to attend this great event that will feature over 200 vendors and over 5,000 shoppers! Most importantly – these vendors are small business owners right here in Monmouth County!

At this time vendor registration is full; however, I encourage any local small business owners who are interested in participating to sign up for the waiting list. To do so visit www.visitmonmouth.com and click on the Made in Monmouth link or call Monmouth County Division of Economic Development at 732-431-7470.

I started Made in Monmouth eight years ago when I joined the Freeholder Board. My goal was to focus my attention on small consumer product manufacturers located within Monmouth County to help them grow their businesses. I thank my fellow Freeholders for their continued support for this initiative and I know they enjoy coming out to shop each year, too.

For those planning on attending this event, I’d like to note we will be collecting non-perishable food items during Made in Monmouth in conjunction with the 2019 Food Drive of Monmouth County. I encourage attendees to bring non-perishable food items that will be distributed by Fulfill, the Foodbank.

Lastly, I’d like to thank the County’s Economic Department, which I oversee, for coordinating Made in Monmouth. They do a terrific job at planning this event each year.

I look forward to seeing you at Made in Monmouth this Saturday!

As always, it’s a privilege to serve as your Freeholder Director.