GOSHEN — It’s been a tough year for Elkhart County RV companies. Some have closed or cut back their workforce in this tough economy. But one RV maker in Goshen says business is looking up.

Supreme Corporation unveiled a new mobile command vehicle built for the state of Indiana. The vehicles will be able to provide communications around the state in times of emergencies.

Supreme Corp. came out on top of a total of 12 firms that put in a bid to make the command units.

"This is going to be the first of five units," explained David Taylor, National Sales Manager. "They were provided by Homeland Security grant money from the federal government."

The company was awarded a $2 million grant to make five of them.

The hope, with the delivery of the first mobile command center, is that it will set the stage for the delivery and production of many more down the road.

"This will open up opportunities to build more of these command centers and other specialty vehicles," said project engineer Eden Marshal.

The company says this latest contract couldn't have come at a better time, given the recent downturn in the economy.

"Oh yes, definitely. I mean obviously, Supreme Corporation, Supreme Industries is down from last year quite a bit,” said Vice President of Sales Mark Beer. “We're feeling the hurt like a lot of the rest of the industry is. But as far as this type of product, you're right — it’s a long term investment for Supreme and obviously it’s going to add to our bottom line in 2009."

The first mobile command center made by Supreme Corporation was turned over to emergency officials from Dearborn County on Monday. Four others covered in the contract will be delivered to other Indiana counties by year's end.