Small town works to aid unemployed - lots of snow to shovel!

Just another small town using it's noggin to help out. Vaguely WPA reminiscent.

The recent heavy snows are presenting an opportunity for some unemployed people to make a little money.

The group Elkhart County Works Together tries to find temporary jobs to help the unemployed make ends meet. The group has come up with an idea to deal with the snow: provide a temporary income for those out of a job, which can help residents keep their sidewalks clear.

The group now has a list of 46 people who will shovel sidewalks for a small fee. It has set up a skills bank on the Web where the unemployed can list the different skills they have. Homeowners and businesses then can go online to contact them for temporary work.

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"It could be a good opportunity to get more work, and at least a little bit more of an income," she said.

"The skills bank gives people the opportunity to generate money they need to meet their basic needs," said David Schrock-Shenk, founder of Elkhart County Works Together.

Electric vehicle maker may bring manufacturing operations to Elkhart County, Indiana

This is huge for my area. There are huge empty manufacturing buildings all over Elkhart from the defunct RV companies.

It was just four months ago that President Obama announced electric truck maker Navistar International would soon hire hundreds of locals to build electric trucks. This week, local leaders say another electric vehicle manufacturer is also interested in calling Elkhart County home.

“This is the cutting edge of plug-in, all-electric vehicles," said County Commissioner Mike Yoder.

Earlier this year, Think North America, a subsidiary of the Norwegian electric car manufacturer Think Global, said Indiana was on the short list of potential states to be home to its U.S. manufacturing operations. Oregon and Michigan were also on the list.

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But two months ago company officials came back. The potential site: an empty warehouse north of Middlebury, at Indiana 13 and County Road 2.

On Monday, Think North America spokesman Brendan Prebo told WSBT News that while this does not constitute a final decision, "we are at a point where we are focusing on negotiations in Indiana."

Video- President Obama's speech in Indiana 8/5/09

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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.

Obama plans Elkhart, Indiana visit Wednesday

I do not ever remember any President giving our state this much attention before. Wonder if I can get close by this time?

ELKHART — President Barack Obama will make a familiar stop next week when he visits Elkhart County, the fourth time he's been here in the past 15 months.

White House officials released few details Thursday, other than the president will be in the "Elkhart area" on Wednesday. More details will be released in the coming days, according to a news release.

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When asked if Obama's visit could involve an announcement with Electric Motors Corp., a maker of electric vehicles that in May announced it will locate to the Nappanee-Wakarusa area, Morgan said he did not know.

Video- Elkhart, Indiana: From battlefield to unemployment line

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Pretty freaking rough when your only choice just might be going back to war to make money. I know one of those guys, and my heart just breaks. MSNBC has done a whole series of stories about Elkhart and how hard the shitty economy has hit them. Well worth a read when you have a minute.

Mike Huckabee brings his show to Elkhart

Haven't these people suffered enough?

ELKHART — Former Republican presidential candidate and now FOX News personality Mike Huckabee, will begin a five-city road tour in Elkhart today to outline the problems facing Elkhart County and ideas to solve the problems.

Filming of the “Huckabee Report” titled “Save This Town: Live from Elkhart, Ind.” is set today at the RV Hall of Fame, 21565 Executive Parkway, near C.R.s 6 and 17. Admission for those wanting to be in the audience is free.

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The Huckabee Report will be broadcast both tonight and again Sunday on FOX TV.

Gov. Huckabee is coming to Elkhart because as a former governor, he is one person who can understand what people are going through, said Woody Fraser, executive producer of the show. “He’s one guy on TV who can afford to go places and people understand why he’s there. And he can understand the people,” the producer said.

High Poll Numbers And Charlie Crist In His Pocket

Think the Republicans are scurrying around in the back halls of Congress trying to figure out which way to go? This poll would guarantee it. Turning out to be a better day than I thought.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – Republican Florida Gov. Charlie Crist will introduce President Obama tomorrow at a Florida town hall meeting plugging the stimulus plan.

Crist was one of 19 governors, including four Republicans, to release a joint letter publicly urging Congress to to pass the president’s stimulus package — a move that earned him an appreciative phone call from Obama.

The Florida governor has said he wants to help Obama push for the measure. The bill is currently being considered by the Senate after failing to draw GOP support in the House.

“Florida has taken prudent steps to cut taxes for our people and balance our budget in these increasingly difficult times,” Crist said in a statement released by the White House Monday. “Any attempts at federal stimulus must prioritize job creation and targeted tax relief for small business owners. I am eager to welcome President Obama to the Sunshine State as he continues to work hard to reignite the US economy.”

President Obama On The Recovery Plan In Elkhart, Indiana

Live Streaming Obama Townhall In Elkhart, Indiana

Our local stations are covering it pre and post meeting, speaking with the crowd and generally doing a good job. You can live stream here (WNDU) , here (WSBT) or here (CSpan). The pic is of what we call "Michiana" round these parts.

Obama Hits the Road

More on the Indiana trip here and here, plus they're already lining up for the Florida visit.

President Obama heads to Elkhart, IN today "on his first sojourn outside Washington since his inauguration," the Indianapolis Star reports. "The president is touring the country trying to sell his economic stimulus program."

"Nowhere is it needed more than in this Northern Indiana city. Elkhart (population: 53,000) leads the nation in unemployment. According to Labor Department statistics released last week, the area's jobless rate hit 15.3 percent in December, up 10 percentage points in a year."

New York Times: "Going out into the country offers a chance for Mr. Obama to reboot. And the image of him stepping off Air Force One, with adoring crowds waiting, is a uniquely presidential way to do it."

The Washington Post notes Obama leaves Indiana around 2:30 p.m. to return to D.C. by 4:30 p.m. He will hold a prime-time press conference in the East Room of the White House at 8:00 p.m. ET.

The President is coming!!

Sold out in 35 minutes, the time it took to get people thru.

ELKHART — "I didn't know I was coming to a football game," said Rick Newbill when he realized the line to get tickets to see President Barack Obama Monday snaked all the way around a parking lot to the football stadium at Concord High School.

"I don't mind standing in line," he said. "I want to hear what he has to say."

Like many people, he would talk about the economy if he had a chance to talk to the president.

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The Elkhart-Goshen area had the largest jump in unemployment in the country, from 4.7 percent in December 2007 to 15.3 percent in December 2008.

Unemployment In Elkhart County, Indiana Highest In Nation

Wow, this is just stunning. I knew things were going to be bad, Elkhart is the "RV Capital Of The World", so if gas prices are high and spare money for vacations etc is low, voila, 9.3% unemployment. Silver lining? They're going to vote and I'm guessing they're not going to want another 4 years of the same.

ELKHART — Tough times in Elkhart are getting national attention. The jump in unemployment now has the distinction of being the highest in the country.

This weekend the New York Times profiled Elkhart, calling it the "white-hot center of the meltdown of the American economy."

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The New York Times cited labor statistics that showed the jobless rate has increased more than any other metropolitan area in the country, rising 4.8 points from August 2007 through August 2008. Nearly 10,000 people are out of work. The rate is 9.3 percent.

“I don't know what to do but just keep beating the trail and trying to find a job,” said Williams.

While they look for work, many are intensely looking forward to Nov. 4 and an election some say could help turn things around.

"Honestly, I've never voted in my life, but I'm gonna vote this year," Miller said.

Elkhart County's voter registration officials say they're seeing record numbers of people this year looking forward to casting their ballot.