GOSHEN — More and more people in Elkhart County are filing for unemployment. For those filing online for unemployment benefits, it often means hours spent waiting in line.

“I've had several customers come in and tell me the horror stories of having to wait in line 2-3 hours, just to get their voucher taken care of at WorkOne,” said Duane Fugate of Premier Rental Purchase.

So he decided to help. Starting this Sunday and every following Sunday, Fugate is setting up 10 computers and opening his store to help people file for benefits online.

“Anybody that really does not have access to a computer to be able to take and file online, we'd like to take and be able to take and give them the opportunity to do that here, in a nice warm environment,” Fugate explained.

They say given the state of the local economy and the high unemployment rate in the area, it’s the least they can do to help out affected residents, neighbors and friends.

“I think it's great," said David Lane, a Premier Rental Purchase employee. "People have difficulties whether it’s paying their bills, along the lines of getting to and from the WorkOne office, getting to the library just to file their unemployment ... call it a central location, but this would be an easy way for them to be able to get the access to what they need to get their benefits filed."

‘We're going to take and do this obviously, at least through the winter months,” Fugate added.

Duane Fugate says he would also like to hear from local businesses interested in dropping off employment information at his store.

Premeir Rental Purchase is located at 905 W. Pike Street in Goshen, 574-533-5353.