In an economy like the Black Hills tourism industry, recruiting the right workers is critical to keep the lights on and the visitors happy. That’s why the announcement of additional H2B visa opportunities for foreign workers could be a benefit to South Dakota.
The US Department of Homeland Security announced this week 65,000 new H2B visas will be available to temporary, non-agricultural workers across the nation.
It’s a program supported by South Dakota Sen. Mike Rounds, who says the program can help American employers and assist people trying to move to the nation on a temporary basis.
CEO of Visit Rapid City Brook Kaufman said that extends to the local hotels, restaurants, and storefronts.
“I got here in 2022, and the workforce need was dire, and we just didn’t have enough workers in the hospitality industry specifically to manage just what was happening with visitor volume," Kaufman said. "In reaching out to our partners, I would say that levels out, but it doesn’t mean there’s ever enough of that frontline worker available. There’s a population of people who want to be in the US, in those jobs, working.”
It’s no small feat to get involved in the highly competitive H2B program, which is why Kaufman said it’s always better to work with established peers.
“It’s an intense endeavor for any business who decides to get into it, a lot of times lodging is involved, transportation is involved, and there’s an infrastructure that goes into setting up the support around that program," Kaufman said. "A lot of our hoteliers in town do it, so if you are considering getting into that space, reach out to a peer who can help you navigate it.”
The new visas became available for businesses and applicants for fiscal year 2025, which is already underway.