Gov. Daniels visits Elkhart WorkOne, announces new jobs

By John Paul (jpaul@wsbt.com)

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Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels made a stop at Elkhart's WorkOne offic

Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels made a stop at Elkhart's WorkOne office on Friday, January 23, 2009. (WSBT photo)

By WSBT News1

Story Created: Jan 23, 2009 at 6:36 PM EST

Story Updated: Jan 27, 2009 at 12:03 AM EST

ELKHART — When it comes to layoffs and unemployment Gov. Mitch Daniels considers Elkhart County one of the hardest hit areas in the state. Friday, he visited the Elkhart WorkOne office and announced 100 new jobs in Northeast and Central Indiana.

Daniels says while those jobs are not in this area, the services provided will make the office in Elkhart run more efficiently.

"They will be working heavily on cases from here even though their office is east of here," he said.

While checking on the current efficiency at the Elkhart facility, he shook hands, listened to concerns from laid off workers and toured the Elkhart WorkOne office.

Overall, Daniels says he is satisfied with what he saw.

"We are way above, in Indiana, the national averages and standards for turnaround times and so forth," he said. "But, we're far from perfect."

Daniels is quick to mention there's still much work left to be done. And workers, laid-off for months, agree.

"Trying to call, you can't call — it says the phone lines are busy.and call back later," Scott Gruver.

Some describe the wait in line as a job in itself.

"The last time I was here, I was here for six hours," said Gene Mullett.

Daniels says as new services are introduced, their demand increases.

"It generates a tremendous demand which is great because people are taking advantage of it," he said. "Sometimes the new demand affects services for awhile at least."

Citing some of the successes at the WorkOne office, including extended hours and online services, he said the state's top priority is helping unemployed workers in need.

"Right now in Indiana, WorkOne is job one," he said.

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