U.S. nearly doubles number of temporary work visas, giving hope to Maine hospitality industry

Merlene Warren, of Montego Bay, Jamaica, cleans a guest room at the Meadowmere Resort in Ogunquit in 2013. Warren was working temporarily in the U.S. with an H-2B visa. Shawn Patrick Ouellette/Staff Photographer, file

The federal government is issuing another 65,000 temporary worker visas nationwide, giving Maine businesses an expanded pool of employees to tap for jobs they are struggling to fill, U.S. Sens. Susan Collins and Angus King said Monday.

Visas will be available to…