Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-04) returned to Point Pleasant Beach, N.J. Monday to help New Jersey Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno and the U.S. Small Business Administration kick off the new “Show Your Love for the Jersey Shore” ad campaign as the St. Valentine’s Day weekend approaches.  The initiative is designed to let visitors know that many Jersey Shore restaurants and shops are open for business.

    "Businesses and shore towns have been have working hard to rebuild and reopen," said Smith, who toured damaged areas of Point Pleasant Beach and other area towns after Sandy hit. “The message we’re sending out is that businesses are now open for their customers and that the boardwalk will be ready for the upcoming 2013 tourist season. They're back and people need to know that.”

    Jenkinson's Aquarium, part of the Jenkinson's Boardwalk amusement facility that was heavily damaged by Superstorm Sandy, is a year-round, seven-day-a-week operation that had been shut down since the storm. It only reopened Feb. 1.

    "Come to the Jersey Shore for Valentine's Day, we're open for business," Guadagno said. “Take a look around at what we can do in such a short period of time at the Jersey Shore. It’s a fabulous opportunity to showcase the comeback at the Jersey Shore.”

    Smith noted the tireless efforts of Point Pleasant Beach Mayor Vincent Barrella and borough officials in working to bring the town back.

    “I was here two days after the storm and the mayor was everywhere working with his OEM,” Smith said of the town’s Office of Emergency Management. “Thank you for your tremendous leadership and of your staff.”

    Point Pleasant Beach is expected to be fully open for business this summer, and downtown businesses have been open for months. The main commercial strip of the town--the boardwalk--is expected to be fully operational by Easter weekend, and the full length of the boardwalk could be rebuilt by Memorial Day weekend. Despite the Jenkinson’s Boardwalk reopening its gift shop, arcade, and the aquarium, the recovery process is still underway. Damaged equipment still needs to be replaced, and small but clearly visible sections of the boardwalk remained barricaded awaiting repairs.

    In January, Smith helped lead vigorous efforts on the House floor to pass the Sandy Supplemental Appropriations Bill, which brought federal assistance to help communities victimized by Sandy to over $60 billion.