Maine town resorts to hiring Americans as foreign workers’ visas run out
That really sounds like something out of The Onion, doesn’t it? I mean, a headline like that one has to be satire.
And yet it’s a very real story brought to us by The Daily Caller this week. Their title, while a bit more direct, has the same impact. “Shortage Of Foreign Labor Forces Maine Businesses To Hire Local Workers.”
The location is Bar Harbor, Maine, and yes, my friends… the struggle is real.
Businesses in Bar Harbor, Maine are turning to locals to make up for a shortage of foreign guest workers that normally fill summer jobs in the bustling seaside resort town.
Because the H-2B visa program has already reached its annual quota, Bar Harbor’s hotels, restaurants and shops can’t bring in any more foreign workers for the rest of the busy summer tourist season.
Like hundreds of similar coastal resort towns, Bar Harbor has for many years depended on the H-2B visas for temporary workers. The program allows non-agricultural companies to bring in foreign labor if they are unable to find suitable employees domestically.
Now they are coming up with creative ways to attract local labor, reports the Bangor Daily News.AND THEN THERE'S THIS:
WINNING: U.S. Oil Producers Find a Surprise New Market: China.
China, one of the world’s largest oil importers, bought nearly 100,000 barrels of oil a day from the U.S. in the first five months of 2017—10 times the average in 2016. Imports in April and May surged to more than 180,000 barrels a day on average, China customs data show.Looks like we really are on our way to becoming a top 10 oil exporter in the next couple of years.
The shift has been greeted with enthusiasm by American producers, who have been trying to pull the sector out of a three-year price slump that has sapped profits and jobs. Industry executives and local officials are now scrambling to retool ports in the Gulf of Mexico to accommodate the large vessels needed to ship vast quantities of crude around the globe.
While still far below the figure China pays its top suppliers—Russia, Saudi Arabia and Angola—the bill for U.S. oil could come in well above $1 billion this year, up from $150 million last year, according to customs data.
4 comments:
Just more evidence that a lot of our problems are political. This is the result of electing someone who has a strong will to do something other than simply win the next election.
Agree with Pete.
I see DHS is also possibly pushing for an expedited deportation platform. Pick the people up, say "Bye Bye" the next day.
Everything looks good for the taxpayers.
We visited Bar Harbor and Portland Maine last month and although both were pleasant stops Portland is more an iffy/trendy spot (homeless and drugs visible)while Bar Harbor appeared more like an upscale scenic tourist/vacation destination. Both towns were teaming with tourists from cruise ships visible in the harbor. The last time I visited Bar Harbor I was just a child of maybe 6 or 7 years of age - '67ish. I recall our family visited a general store for supplies during a camping trip. Definitely not at all similar to the quaint village I recall from childhood. Both towns had lots of shopping targeting tourists with pricey arts/crafts & tacky souvenirs. Not a single migrant visible in either location.
WINNING!
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