SEASIDE HEIGHTS, NJ-While New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and many shoreline towns are confident storm damage repairs will be completed by the start of tourism season on Memorial Day weekend, a new analysis predicts a sharp decline in tourism revenue.

With about four weeks left before tourist season, some communities along the Jersey Shore, especially in hard hit Ocean and Monmouth counties, are still in disrepair. Rutgers University's Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, which analyzed Sandy's financial impact in a January report, estimates a $950-million tourism industry loss for the third quarter of this year, according to The Record. Last year, the Jersey Shore generated a record $19-billion in revenue for the state.

“While we can't predict what will happen this summer, the tourism industry is getting the word out that many attractions, restaurants and venues are open and welcoming visitors,” says Jennifer Stringfellow, a public information assistant in the state Division of Travel and Tourism. See story in The Record.

Also Monday, U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan announced HUD's approval of New Jersey's plan to spend $1.8 billion in federal grants on storm recovery. See story in njbiz.com.