Unemployment in Elkhart gets national attention

by Dustin Grove (grove@wsbt.com)

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Labor statistics show the jobless rate in Elkhart has increased more than any other metropolitan area in the country. (WSBT photo)

Story Created: Oct 13, 2008 at 3:22 PM EST

Story Updated: Oct 16, 2008 at 10:47 PM EST

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

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

To the people in Elkhart, that's no surprise.

Stop by the unemployment office in Elkhart and it won't take long to catch a glimpse of how many people are hurting and looking for work.

“It's real bad around here," Dwayne Williams told WSBT News. "It's getting worse every day."

Williams is a father of three who's been laid off twice in the last year. “A lot of people aren't taking applications; they're laying off and stuff," he said. "It gets to a point where what can you do?”

Williams is turning in a voucher that proves to the state he's really searching for work. The problem is, he can't find any.

And neither can Eldon Miller, recently laid off from his job in the RV industry.

“Anything RV related is scary," he said.

If jobs aren't cut in this community's massive RV industry, hours have been. It's why the New York Times labeled Elkhart — known as the "City With a Heart" — as the heart of this nation's economic meltdown.

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.

“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 November 4th 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.

The state has been in Elkhart County the last few months helping unemployed workers with their resumes and offering $6,000 grants to send some back to school. See your local WorkOne office for more information.

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