Local Spotlight: Kim Verreault

The Fourth of July holiday weekend is now upon us. And here in southern Maine, where so many businesses rely very heavily on summer tourism, this is the season that can make you or break you.

In addition to dealing with a prolonged wet weather pattern, small business owners in southern Maine are also being impacted by significant labor shortages and more restrictive state regulations regarding teen and young adult workers.

Kim Verreault of Old Orchard Beach knows a lot about those challenges. For nearly 20 years, she and her family owned and operated seasonal businesses in town. She also served as executive director of the Old Orchard Beach Chamber of Commerce as well as serving on that agency’s board of directors.

“With each passing year, the diminishing pool of labor resources has had an increasing impact on our local economy,” Verreault said. “Many years ago, most every business in Old Orchard was open seven days a week from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Today, it’s not uncommon to see some businesses open only five days a week, even though we’re right in the middle of the summer season.”

But there is a bright spot on the horizon for local business owners.

A few weeks ago, Verreault was hired by the Town of Orchard Beach to serve as the town’s International Student Worker Coordinator as part of the federal J1 visa program, which is administered by the U.S. State Department.

A J1 work visa allows an eligible foreign youth the opportunity to work seasonally in the United States. Both the youth and the business must meet certain eligibility requirements, including a sponsorship requirement.

According to the State Department, a J1 visa promotes increased international understanding, benefitting both the worker and businesses that are seeking seasonal help, primarily in the service industry, including restaurants, hotels, small stores and seasonal operations such as Palace Playland and Funtown Splashtown USA.

In 2022, slightly more than 4,980 J1 visa holders worked in the state of Maine during the summer season, according to the State Department.  In addition to service jobs, JI student workers are also hired as scholarly assistants/researchers at state colleges and universities and as personal assistants, including work as an Au Pair.

Verreault, 56, graduated from Old Orchard Beach High School in 1985. She was the executive director of the Old Orchard Beach Chamber for a little more than four years, between 2015 and 2019. We caught up with Verreault last week to discuss the J1 visa program and her role in helping coordinate the program in Old Orchard Beach.

Where do J1 student workers primarily come from?

“These are mostly college-age students. A few years ago, we saw a lot of J1 visa workers from western Europe. Today, we’re seeing a much greater diversity of participation, from eastern Europe and all over the globe.”

How do local businesses benefit from the J1 visa program?

“In our experience, it was always a challenge to fully staff our operations. The J1 visa program does a fantastic job of helping to fill that gap.”

How many J1 visa workers are right here in the Biddeford, Saco, Old Orchard Beach area?

“We’re starting to get back to our pre-pandemic numbers. Today, we have roughly 550 participants in Saco and Old Orchard Beach.”

Can these workers be employed at any business?

“No, there is a process that needs to be followed. Certain jobs do not qualify, and each employer business needs to be vetted. All of the J1 visa participants come here through sponsorships. Those sponsors include organizations such as the Council on International Education Exchange (CIEE), headquartered in Portland and Cultural Homestay International, a non-profit organization in California.”

Do businesses have to pay the same wages to J1 visa workers as they do to Maine residents?

“Yes. All employees must be paid no less than minimum wage. We always paid our employees well above that rate because we placed a high value on our staff and realized we could not run our business without them.”

Why is southern Maine facing such a labor problem, especially for seasonal workers?

“Well, there are a lot of factors at play. First, there is our basic demographics. The average age in the state of Maine is just about retirement age. Secondly, state government has increased restrictions on younger workers, what types of jobs they work and hours of operation. Finally, the summer work season just keeps shrinking. Academic and school athletic programs are beginning much sooner. We see students going back to school in August. By the time Labor Day comes around, there’s really no one left to work. It’s a very real problem.

“Just look at Palace Playland. Even before Labor Day, you’ll see the amusement park close and leave only the arcade open. It’s not like the old days.”

What do you do as a coordinator of the program?

“I make sure that the kids are connected to local resources, from banking to groceries to understanding and using the public transit system. I always try to remind them to take some time for themselves, explore the area and learn about a different culture. It’s very rewarding work.”

Randy Seaver can be contacted at randy@randyseaver.com.