Obama returns to hurting Northern Indiana -- with money

I'll be standing out front of the house when you go by Mr President, no need to stop, just toss it on the lawn, I'll get it.

WASHINGTON---- Venturing back to a region reeling in deep unemployment, President Barack Obama's latest mission in Indiana is to show that the costly stimulus plan he lobbied for is producing tangible help -- $2.4 billion in taxpayer grants to create electric cars and tens of thousands of jobs.

At a recreational-vehicle plant in northern Indiana, Obama on Wednesday will announce the grants and try to stabilize American confidence. His stop in Wakarusa, Ind., is part of a concerted economic campaign that also will see Vice President Joe Biden and four Cabinet secretaries holding events in five states.

Elkhart RV supplier turns to making line of purses, totes to keep jobs

What a great idea and story. Guess there is some good news out there. You can see the bags here.

This could be a story about another downtrodden Elkhart County RV supplier that laid off most of its work force and is struggling to stay in business during the economic downturn.

Instead, this is an example of how ingenuity and determination created a new product for the Goshen-based company to manufacture during the downturn, thereby allowing some employees to return to work.

Decorator Industries has switched gears during the recession, swapping RV window treatments and bedding for shopping bags, totes and trendy purses. Some area retailers plan to stock the bags by the dozens, which means the company hopes to call a couple of dozen laid-off workers back.

"We're one local company helping another local company and the economy," said Pam Mitchell, who plans to stock the bags at her Gingerbread Cottage stores in Mishawaka and Elkhart. "They're bringing people back to work to make these bags. How great is that?"