President Barack Obama pledged $39 million to Wakarusa’s Navistar during a speech Wednesday at the company’s Monaco RV plant on Nelson’s Parkway.

The money is part of $2.4 billion in federal stimulus funds designated to develop electric vehicles.

Speaking before a small invitation-only crowd, the president said “the battle for America’s future will be fought and won” in communities like Wakarusa and Elkhart County with their trained work force and existing manufacturing infrastructure.

“As the world grows more competitive, we can’t afford to run the race at half speed,” Obama said.

The president received a standing ovation from the crowd when he announced the federal stimulus money. But less than half the crowd stood up when the president started talking about his other initiatives, including health insurance reform.

Indiana is expected to be a politically important state for Obama if he wages a reelection campaign in 2012. This is his second visit to Elkhart County since taking office, but he has made numerous visits to the region during his time as a candidate and president.

Also announced Wednesday was some $6.1 million for colleges and universities to train workers and offer degrees in specialized areas related to green technology.

Many of the jobs created by green investment will require more than a high school diploma, said Thomas Snyder, president of Ivy Tech Community College.

Ivy Tech and Purdue University are the lead institutions receiving $6.1 million grant.

Read much more about this story on WSBT.com and in Thursday’s South Bend Tribune.