Elkhart unemployment rate fifth highest in state, led by struggling RV industry

by Ed Ernstes (ernstes@wsbt.com)

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The City of Elkhart has the fifth highest unemployment rate in Indiana. (WSBT photo)

By Tiffany Griffin

Story Created: Apr 22, 2008 at 10:02 AM EST

Story Updated: Apr 24, 2008 at 4:53 PM EST

ELKHART — The RV industry in Elkhart has been hit hard by an ailing economy. The city now has the fifth highest unemployment rate in Indiana.

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That means people looking for work are competing with each other for the same jobs.

It’s been a busy couple weeks at the WorkOne employment office.

"It was last week, Monday, Tuesday — over that two-day period we took about 700 claims,” said Denise Tiller of WorkOne. “I think the majority of it is RV related."

Jamey Byran was laid off from his RV job nine months ago and is still looking for work.

“I go out every day looking for a job,” he told WSBT News. “I was a deliverer for hauling the plastic tanks and that around."

"There are so many people looking for work,” said Robert Anglemyer, who is also unemployed. “With the RV industry being down, that makes it even tougher, all those people out looking for work.”

And it's not just the RV industry.

Alicia is a former waitress. She’s been looking for a job for three months.

“They don't have the extra money to go out and enjoy a dinner because they have to stay home and spend their money on food and gas, so it slows down the economy for the restaurants,” she explained.

While looking for work they also have to pay their bills like everyone else, as well as deal with the rising cost of gas, food, and other commodities.

"Yeah it’s really rough,” Anglemyer said. “I'm raising three kids by myself and the cost of gas to try to get anywhere, and the cost of gas bringing up the cost of groceries. I'm feeding three teenagers — that’s a lot of money!”

For the month of March, Elkhart's unemployment rate was 7.3 percent. Compare that to South Bend’s unemployment rate of 6.6 percent. Both are still better than the state's highest unemployment rate of 9.2 percent in Marion.

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