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Maine's non-tourism businesses also suffering from delay in H-2B visa release

Smokey's Greater Shows, which operates at fairs and festivals across Maine, may not be able to set up carnival-style rides at as many events this year due to staffing shortages.

TOPSHAM, Maine — Maine's non-tourism businesses are suffering from worker shortages and are blaming the delay in receiving H-2B visas.

The visas allow non-citizens to come to the United States to work on a temporary or seasonal basis.

"Normally we get our foreign laborers the H2 B visa program but [...] there’s no guarantee when we’ll get our employees for the 2019 festival and fair season," said Smokey's Greater Shows owner Robby Driskill.

The Department of Homeland Security still has not released the 30,000 extra visas it said it would back in March.

RELATED: Homeland Security to issue 30,000 more visas for seasonal workers

"It could be the middle or end of June by the time they get up here. I'm supposed to be open the first of June," said Driskill. "That's a problem. Could be a real problem."

To be eligible for the H-2B program, businesses must first advertise openings to people in their state.

"For 60 days of running the "help wanted" ad, two people applied. Two people in two months. That's why I say nobody wants to work," said Driskill.

Driskill plans to host a job fair to try to attract people in Maine to work seasonally for his company touring Maine and New England. The event goes from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on May 1 at the Topsham Fairgrounds. They plan to hold another on May 8 from 1:30-3:30 and from 4:30-6:30 at the fairgrounds.

According to the Portland Press Herald, 126 Maine businesses applied for 2,280 via positions.

RELATED: Bar Harbor businesses struggle to find season employees

He said people are concerned they would be replaced or laid off for workers from away who could be paid less. Driskill said he would not do that.

"I would hire them first and if I fall short I would make the adjustment with the foreign labor but at no time will I hire the foreign labor and then lay off the American workers," Driskill wrote in a text message. "That seems to be a concern when people talk to me about the job fair." 

"This season could be in jeopardy of not having enough people operate the rides," Driskill wrote. 

He said that means the staff will have to work longer hours to maintain and operate all the rides they have at fairs past.

He still hopes to appear at about 24 shows over the course of the season.

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