A popular fair in the state's capital will not happen due to low unemployment and lack of visas.

According to the Concord Monitor, the annual spring fair put on by the the Kiwanis Club of Concord will not take place this year. Low unemployment is partially to blame. According to the Concord Monitor, the state's unemployment rate plummeted to 2.4 in March of this year. That's down from 2.6 last year. a decrease of 2.6% from 2018. Also, the pool of local seasonal workers has shrunk. Miller Amusements, the company that runs it was not granted any workers through the federal government’s H-2B visa program because the lack of number of available visas. The Concord Monitor reported 66,000 visas are issued across the country each year, divided in half for summer and winter industries. This year, the number of visas available doesn't match the amount being requested by U.S. businesses.

Per  the Concord Monitor, Miller Amusements said this is the first time they’ve canceled an event in 30 years. Also, all of their other events this season are still on schedule.

Concord Kiwanis Club President Mark Lester said the fair will return next year.

A labor shortage is something many seasonal businesses in New Hampshire are facing ahead of summer.

 

 

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