Unemployment in Elkhart gets national attentionby Dustin Grove (grove@wsbt.com)
Labor statistics show the jobless rate in Elkhart has increased more than any other metropolitan area in the country. (WSBT photo) ELKHART — Tough times in Elkhart are getting national attention. The jump in unemployment now has the distinction of being the highest in the country. Multimedia Related Content
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. Sunday, Oct 19 at 11:16 AM mel wrote ...i would love to go back to school. but i am one who has been off work for over a year. i am not lazy. i have been looking graduated from high school. one job went to canada sprint didn't have to pay insurance up there. saved millions. thanks clinton. others factories in the plymouth area went to mexico... Gov Daniels seems to have forgotten us up here. oh, not when the whole mess with DST. that was a big help NOT! now you just get so far behind what do you do? i have worked 2 jobs most of my lif Friday, Oct 17 at 8:14 AM REALITY wrote ...Do you people really think that Obama , or McCain will really change anything? Do you honestly think Bush got us here? Look around people it's not just america, and it's not all one persons fault. We have more then one thing that needs to be corrected and neither canidate is goign to be able to make a significant change. We as americans have to get off our rears and stand up and make some changes. Lok at the damage we have allowed and do YOUR part to correct them. If not kiss it all goodbye. Wednesday, Oct 15 at 11:38 AM Mitch wrote ...Anon..you are going to have to take responsibility for yourself and get a GED. Nobody is going to hire you. Your poor choices as a teen are coming back to bite you. You cannot survive very long in this country with out an education. People have been telling us that for years and are right...but some people think they have the world figured out and don't need high school. How is that working out for them now? Not so well. Places will help you get the GED, you just have to get off your butt. Wednesday, Oct 15 at 9:49 AM why wrote ...Why should the gov't help? The gov't didn't help me go to college. Oh yes they did, they gave me a loan with a 7% interest on pay back. This is Americas problem, most of you depend on the gov't to help you out. Do us all a favor and help yourselves out. Quit putting a strain on my tax dollars because you don't want to help yourself. Wednesday, Oct 15 at 9:08 AM Iknow wrote ...If you work at an RV industry and you have been laid off, check and see if there are illegals working in the factory and make a nice little phone call to INS and watch those jobs open up. It' s unfathomable to think illegals are working in this area while American citizens can't find a job. ENOUGH ALREADY! Wednesday, Oct 15 at 7:56 AM Am wrote ...Obama doesn't look like you so he must be the anti christ his name is American he must be a terrorist some people are nothing but jokes. He deserves a chance just like Mc Cain Tuesday, Oct 14 at 11:08 PM mike, Leesburg,IN wrote ...People, get real. The only people that pay taxes are consumers. If taxes are raised on businesses, then the prices of the goods and services are raised to pay these taxes. So a tax on business is a tax on you. Tuesday, Oct 14 at 8:06 PM Todd wrote ...This surprises you?? The stupid county built it's faith around the RV industry. How foolish! It is a entertainment item and people know that is what gets cut first when budgets are tight. You don't put most of your eggs in one basket...this is exactly what happens. Look at Michigan...especially Detroit...it's a mess. One major industry that is tanking. Tuesday, Oct 14 at 7:45 PM Anonymous wrote ...Trust me "8:52 AM laid-off", the government isn't helping all the laid off RV workers with schooling. I was laid off from Monaco at the end of January and they won't help me.I even meet all the prerequisites other than not being part of the main shut down. We all knew they going to shut down more than a year ago. What is crap is that most of the people that worked at Monaco didn't have a diploma or GED which you have to have to get the help. All that left over money is going to go to waste. Tuesday, Oct 14 at 6:06 PM Laurie wrote ...Yes, it doesn't mean 91% working. Sometimes it is more telling how the economy really is to see how many more people are on food stamps, etc. Tuesday, Oct 14 at 4:55 PM Robert Elkhart wrote ...9% unemployment doesn't mean 91% working! Sid you forget about the %'s of people that there benefits have expired and still not wprking? Unemployment rates do not count the people only the one's still getting benefits. Tuesday, Oct 14 at 4:38 PM Laurie wrote ...How suprising...an "Obama is the anti-Christ" comment. Please people have a open mind about people that don't look like you.. Tuesday, Oct 14 at 3:55 PM bob wrote ...i just talked to a lady whose husband found a supervisors job in the goshen area and the first thing he has to do is learn spanish. come on peaple even if the have permits send them home and employ your own Tuesday, Oct 14 at 3:47 PM agree with rick wrote ...Yeah, the 2 party system is lousy. We need more parties than that!! In the mean time I'm hungry. Worried. On the other hand I'll bet we'll see the price of real estate plummet in Elkhart County. I'm still hungry. Tuesday, Oct 14 at 3:46 PM Anonymous wrote ...Myrt: the flaw in your reasoning is that a new set of representatives wouldn't do things differently. They'd say the would; just like the rest, then they would act according to what bankers tell them. No, the way to get results in a democracy is for citizens to petition their representatives, not merely show up to vote or not vote. But this requires real work - and watch as all the loud mouthing about the "work ethic" and "werkin' hard" go flying out the window. Tuesday, Oct 14 at 3:16 PM Rick wrote ...Ain't the 2 ( ) party system great? Tuesday, Oct 14 at 2:47 PM ??????????/ wrote ...Elkhart has always lived and died by the rv industry. Nothing new. We have had tough times before. I remember once it was so tough we thought the companies would consolidate into a "big three". All you sad bloggers need to grow up and remember when you point a finger at someone, there are three pointing back at you. Stop blaming dems or reps. The whole system is corrupt. I'm sure our founding fathers are rolling in their graves. America is great and we will survive. Tuesday, Oct 14 at 2:42 PM Denis A's mom wrote ...Please take your unicorn collection and get out of my basement Tuesday, Oct 14 at 2:37 PM Jason wrote ...To Wayne Depriest: Prayer should always be your first option but I don't think you should be voting for a man who supports abortion because God sure doesn't. Tuesday, Oct 14 at 2:30 PM Anonymous wrote ...I agree that voting for Obama will be a very rude awakening for americans if they expect to see a great change as far as a recovering economy. Yes, jobs will leave the country or shut down before they tolerate a higher tax bracket. Small industries will be gone for good. Tuesday, Oct 14 at 2:27 PM Conservative wrote ...Ok God bless even the left all except for Denis A...A for Agnostic? Should I take another guess? I think your post speaks for it self...anyone else got a guess? Tuesday, Oct 14 at 1:28 PM Anonymous wrote ...I can not beleive the reasons people are voting for Obama. They make him sound like he is the second coming of Christ. They vote democrat because they think that means democracy. Just remember that small businesses who provide the majority of jobs make that 250,000 and more. They will be taxed,and by by jobs. Tuesday, Oct 14 at 12:46 PM Myrt wrote ...What everyone seems to be missing that until EVERYONE is voted out of congress, things won't change. The President is only a figure head who gets the blame for everything. Congress controls the country and until all of them are voted out NO ONE is going to see change. I for one am seriously considering voting any incumbent out of office because I'm sick of their pork projects and greed. Tuesday, Oct 14 at 12:32 PM :Former Hoosier wrote ...7:23 am you are exactly right. It was a dem. who signed the NAFTA bill which allowed for outsourcing of our jobs. But, I have to admit that Obama is the best choice at this point. McCain can't stick to a single word he says and Palin makes the Rep. party look like a side show circus. I only strongly suggest everyone vote. For OBAMA!!! Tuesday, Oct 14 at 12:19 PM Dennis A wrote ...and then you do us a favor... keep "God" out of it. Tuesday, Oct 14 at 12:00 PM mc wrote ...Just to be clear: Obama will not raise taxes for anyone making less than 250k. Big tax breaks for corporations with no incentives to stay local are part of the reason why the economy is tanking. McCain doesn't understand this. Tuesday, Oct 14 at 11:29 AM Conservative wrote ...People, take a look at what Obama's tax plan is. If you truely believe that he is only taxing people that make 250K and more...I have some ocean front property in Arizona for sale CHEAP! Do the country a favor and get the gumption to investigate both candidates before you believe EVERYTHING the media tells you! I am all for people having their own choices but educate your self about what you are going to believe in, not what the media tells you to believe in. God bless even the left. Tuesday, Oct 14 at 11:01 AM RQ wrote ...You feable little minds. Obama is not going to help you or the situation. Obama will make it worse. Who do you think pays for all the stuff he is supposedly touting? Us, you idiots. Obama is not the answer. He is the anti-christ and will cause more destruction. Tuesday, Oct 14 at 10:58 AM Bill wrote ...To all those saying that Obama will not raise taxes, get a clue please! How do the rich get richer? They pay off accountants to get out of paying the taxes! Obama thinks that the rich will pay for his social programs, when actually no one will. He might THINK he can lower taxes but when the buck stops guess what will happen? That's right he will be forced to RAISE taxes on 95% of us to pay for the 1 trillion in new spending he is proposing. McCain is not proposing any new spending! Tuesday, Oct 14 at 10:49 AM Mark wrote ...Yeah, vote Democrat. All your jobs will come back like magic. I can't wait until you people get what you think you want. Obama said himself: "I will only raise taxes on companies grossing $250K anually. Unless you are self-employed that's ALL of your employers. And that's going to HELP keep jobs? Are you Obama people capable of math So, who's fault will it be when Bush is out of office and your jobs are still drying up? Hehe... Good luck to you all, you're going to need it. Tuesday, Oct 14 at 10:31 AM Norm Tate wrote ...Everything is from china and Blangadesh. Why they dont open up factories that went overseas and start operating right here where we all need to work. Going to Ohio for work? You might as well go to Hollywood and become an actor then after a year you will have a masion right there on top of Beverly Hills with everything on it. Even servants will wait for your breakfast and your lunch a big staeak and lobsters everywhere will be for you. You wont be skinny anymore. Fat is the word for them Tuesday, Oct 14 at 10:01 AM Anonymous wrote ...While waiting for another high paid factory job that makes the slow kids in the class feel good about having a bunch of kids, you can, in the meantime, work at McDonalds. They are ALWAYS hiring. There is always a restaurant that needs a dish washer, or a cashier. Tuesday, Oct 14 at 9:58 AM Anonymous wrote ...Don't blame the governor for the problems in Elkhart. If the city officials and county government, had pulled their head out of the sand, they would not have had the majority of the business be in the Rv industry. This industry is based on cheap gas. When that raises, the people to not travel in motor homes. Also look at it this way, if the unemployment rate is 9% that means 91% of the people are working. Tuesday, Oct 14 at 9:48 AM to women from Michigan wrote ...You are the last state to be telling people how to vote. Your state has voted Democrat for how many elections and look at your state. It has been in shambles for decades. You should wake up and smell the coffee. Nothing run by Democrats is ever successful. Do you realize the 10 most poverished cities in the country all have Democrats for mayors and have for many decades. Look at Detroit. This countries economy goes to crap everytime the dems have a majority in the house. Tuesday, Oct 14 at 9:07 AM Rochester wrote ...I hate republicans, While us working class are struggling to keep are heads above water and feed are kids they sit there living good just thinking of ways to screw us over I am voting for Obama!!!!!! It is time for a change!!!!! Tuesday, Oct 14 at 8:52 AM laid-off wrote ...The unemployment office is only helping laid off RV workers with schooling. I have applied but was turned down because I dont work in that industry. Discrimination?? You be the judge. Tuesday, Oct 14 at 8:49 AM Phil wake up wrote ...Bush cut taxes. McCain will keep those tax cuts in order. Obama will let them expire and guess what?? Taxes go up. Dems are the ones who raise taxes the most. McCain wants to cut gov't wasteful spending, something the Dems do well. Tuesday, Oct 14 at 8:28 AM anon wrote ...Isn't the current house mostly democrats? Hmmmmmm Tuesday, Oct 14 at 8:25 AM bee wrote ...hey robert where are your comments now about jobs being everywhere. bet you didnt even read this article.if you did you surely dont have anything to say now do you.have fun spending all your money. Tuesday, Oct 14 at 8:20 AM Wally wrote ...Just remember which party doesn't want to drill for oil or build new refineries!!!! Tuesday, Oct 14 at 8:13 AM Jobless in Waky wrote ...I found it rather interesting that only Elkhart was singled out for its soaring unemployment rate - perhaps saying that Elkhart County overall is suffering would have been a better depiction. Surely you can't overlook Wakarusa and Nappanee when discussing the job situation. And it isn't only the RV sector - my husband lost his job working for an electrical contractor six weeks ago, and there are simply no comparable job prospects in this area. Godspeed and good luck to all those affected! Tuesday, Oct 14 at 7:58 AM me wrote ...democrates destroy our economy, then blame it on Bush. Can you say Acorn. Tuesday, Oct 14 at 7:23 AM Problem started long ago wrote ...Let's take a quick look back at Clinton in office. I firmly believe all the trouble began when he started signing NAFTA and other bills which outsourced our jobs to other countries. Unfortunately, the only thing Bush could have done to make that massive problem better is to back out of those agreements, which he didn't. Now, we are stuck in a time when most are jobs are shipped overseas and foreign workers are paid pennies to do the job American's would do for more. Bring jobs back to the US Tuesday, Oct 14 at 4:58 AM Trebor wrote ...7:30 PM Response to Trebor wrote ... You don't think I know that!! If you can't find a new product that you need made in America, then buy a used one off of e-bay or somewhere else. Only the consumer can bring back jobs, think these stores or companies will? Our government gives companies tax breaks to go off-shore! Write you representatives, vote the one out who are not for American jobs. Monday, Oct 13 at 11:05 PM Phil wrote ...Here's a news flash for McCain supporters - if you think he won't raise taxes, you are clueless. Usually, Republicans just find ways to tax you in less direct, backdoor ways. Monday, Oct 13 at 11:02 PM Anonymous wrote ...If you are out of work - and you voted for Bush and plan to vote for McCain, I have no sympathy for you. After all - republicans believe in pull yourself up by your bootstraps, so do it. Monday, Oct 13 at 10:07 PM Anonymous wrote ...To "Anonymous" regarding Obama raising taxes: Obama's only raising taxes on those making $250,000 or more a year. He's not raising taxes on those making less than that. So, to answer your question, "How many of us can afford that?" Well, those who make over $250,000 a year have a better chance than the rest of us. But maybe you make more than that, so... congrats, I guess. Monday, Oct 13 at 9:51 PM Jim wrote ...Anononymous at 7:31, you must make more than $250,000 at the trailer factory. Obama isnt going to raise taxes on the working people. Get your faxed straight before you comment Monday, Oct 13 at 9:49 PM Woman from Michigan wrote ...So the Daniels ad IS a lie !!! Oh and McCain's gonna' not raise yopur taxes !!!!! He's just like Bush you ididots !!!! Monday, Oct 13 at 9:05 PM Anonymous wrote ...It's the Republican Party. Get rid of them and this country will flourish. Go Dems! Monday, Oct 13 at 8:43 PM Indiana wrote ...Yea, it's Mitche's fault that the speculators caused oil to go up thus causing gas to increase leading to less RV sales, boy Mitch is powerful !! Monday, Oct 13 at 8:28 PM Janet wrote ...I keep hearing about layoffs but I also see high paying jobs posted on employment sites - www.linkedin.com (networking) www.indeed.com (aggregated listings) www.realmatch.com (matches you to jobs) Good luck to those looking! Monday, Oct 13 at 7:53 PM granger wrote ...My daughter and her husband have been looking for work for the past three months. They both had jobs for the RV industry..just hourly workers. The closest jobs they could find are in Ohio. It's terrible to lose them but at least they can take care of themselves and get off the unemployment. I'm going to miss them around here. Monday, Oct 13 at 7:45 PM TS20 wrote ...Due to companies hiring illegal immigrants is why our communities are in bad condition. Monday, Oct 13 at 7:39 PM Karen wrote ...PLEASE..WAYNE..or anyone else that knows..WHAT IS THE "CHANGE" THAAT OBAMA PROMISES THAT IS DIFFERENT than any other POLITIAN?? Monday, Oct 13 at 7:31 PM Anonymous wrote ...Vote McCain! Obama's gonna RAISE your taxes! How many of us can afford that? Monday, Oct 13 at 7:30 PM Response to Trebor wrote ...Go to the store and find 10 products made in the USA. See how long that takes you. Monday, Oct 13 at 6:40 PM boomer954 wrote ...there are idiots out there who think mitch daniels is the best govenor around. just talk to the 16,500 that are layed off what they think of a gov. who doesn't care about nerthern indiana!!! Monday, Oct 13 at 6:24 PM Anonymous wrote ...Maybe the Messiah could help. He's apparently seeking to spread the wealth around. Maybe he could steal some from the employed and give it to the unemployed? Monday, Oct 13 at 6:21 PM Trebor wrote ...Want good American jobs? Buy only American made products! China is working and growing like crazy, read where the product is from before you buy. Monday, Oct 13 at 5:44 PM Wayne Depriest wrote ...I am gona vote for Obama. May be the change will make it better. No wonder people are in a tight spot. With 3 to 5 kids to feed everyday. Now the New York times is seen red. If we take courses at college and how long is gona take that to find another job. Families have to pay rent and utilities. That is not counting the credit card bills and food items that is so expensive. We need to pray to God. May be He will listen to the cry of his people who are suffering untold pain. Add a comment |
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Tuesday, Oct 28 at 7:38 PM Jermaine wrote ...
This is to the world,we have came a long way to living the high life and now that its time for change!We as people need to stick together and take it to the white house,because sitting around waiting on help is not going to work at all,let mail our bills to the white house and let Bush pay our bills