ELKHART — Governor Mitch Daniels says at least 500 new jobs are headed to 7 companies across Northern Indiana. Will the new work make enough of an impact to mark a turning point for the local economy?

Governor Daniels (R) made the announcement at Ivy Tech in Elkhart Thursday.

He said some of the jobs are with new companies choosing to re-locate here, and others are with companies looking to expand. Some of the expansions and relocations had already been announced over the 3 months.

Some of those jobs will be here within a year. Others won't come until 2013.

Companies included in the announcement are listed below, according to a news release supplied by the Governor's Office:

-Oasis Lifestyle LLC, a manufacturer of custom bathroom fixtures including tubs and showers, which will relocate its Aurora, IL based manufacturing facility to Plymouth, adding $2.1 million in capital investment and more than 95 jobs by 2011.

-Lake Cable of Elkhart LLC, a manufacturer of industrial, commercial and residential wire and cable used in security systems, fire alarms and building automation. The Illinois-based company will invest $6 million to open a new Elkhart facility, creating more than 20 jobs over the next year.

-Fortis Plastics LLC, a custom-molded plastics company that recently reorganized and opened its headquarters in South Bend. Formerly Atlantis Plastics, the company will invest more than $3.5 million to upgrade an existing facility and add jobs.

-Steel and fiberglass tank manufacturer Precision Tank and Equipment Co, which will open a new facility to produce 30,000-gallon fiberglass tanks in Wakarusa. The Illinois-based company will hire 14 new associates and invest more than $1.8 million over the next three years.

-Bremen Castings, an iron machine castings manufacturer that will expand its Marshall County facility by adding 66 new jobs. The fourth-generation, family-owned company plans to invest $5.6 million to grow its machining, painting and pattern shop.

-Money transmitter Intercambio Express Inc, which recently announced it will locate its headquarters in Elkhart and hire an additional 51 information technology and customer service associates. Recognized as a 2008 Top 50 Company to Watch by the Indiana Small Business Development Center, Purdue University and Edward Lowe Foundation, Intercambio Express will invest $3 million to upgrade equipment and facilities.

-izzy, formerly Jami Inc, which recently announced it will expand its Middlebury operations, creating more than 115 jobs in the next three years. The Grand Haven, MI, based commercial chair manufacturer will invest $640,000 in equipment and building improvements.

At Thursday's news conference lauding the growth, Governor Daniels said more people are paying attention to the region following national attention on the downturn in the RV industry. Because of that, he said the state's most critical job right now is cultivating a more well-educated workforce.

"In terms of human capital, the knowledge base of our employees, we've got a ways to go. We have the best people and the best workers in America. We have to stay that way, and we have to be prepared for new jobs," Daniels said.

Local leaders called the announcement a "positive step forward."

"I think it gives hope, and I think it gives diversity. And that's what we're after," said Elkhart County Economic Development Corporation President Dorinda Heiden-Guss.

But, does this signal that the local economy is starting to turn around?

Economists say the proof is always in the numbers.

While unemployment did go down in some of the hardest hit areas, including Elkhart, Koscuisko, and Marshall Counties in February, employment also went down in some spots. That means fewer people were actually working.

Economic experts were optimistic that Thursday's announcement could help change that by re-training unemployed workers, and helping to put them back on the job.

The question is, how quickly can that happen?

It's a question Robin Hundt is in a unique position to answer.

Last year, he found himself in the unemployment line; his lifetime of dedication as a floor manager at Monaco Coach, suddenly gone.

"I was there 28 years, and I was pretty much told... gotta go," he said.

Then, 5 months ago, he struck "unemployment gold."

There was an opening for an entry level floor position at Bremen Casting.

Hundt was a floor manager at Monaco.

Still, he jumped in with both feet, re-trained, and is now working from the "ground" floor back up.

"Because, there's nothing out there. I was one of the fortunate ones to find this place," he said.

Soon, he won't be the only one with that story.

"We're going to be creating anywhere from 5 to 60 jobs just in the next three years," said Bremen Castings President James "J.B." Brown.

"Some of our customers have come to us and said they want value added. We didn't have room to grow or room to expand, and we didn't have the employees. So, we looked at Southern Michigan and Indiana and said, what's our best option?" Brown said.

Bremen Castings' move is part of $22.6 million in total expansion and relocation announced formally on Thursday.

But, why roll the dice on unpredictable growth in an uncertain economy?

"If we can keep our people here and keep them trained, and keep things going with the diversification we have, then we're still producing," said Brown.

"Things are slow, don't be misled. The economy is still slow. But, hopefully, by expanding what our customers want us to do, we are investing in our future now. We think that's a smart decision," he continued.

Still, the new jobs won't go to just anyone.

Many are considered "skilled" jobs, and for most unemployed workers, that will mean retraining.

"You can't just walk in off the street and just handle it," said Brown. "You need trained individuals to run these machines. So, the State of Indiana's role in helping to train them is great, because now they can come to us, ready to go."

Heiden-Guss says that success could trickle down to the rest of us, too.

"There is what we call a multiplier effect. 500 new manufacturing jobs will spill over to bank deposits, car purchases, etc," she said.

So, is this the "turning point" we've been waiting for?

"It will take time. This is a gradual process," Heiden-Guss said.

Other local economists aren't sure how soon that will change, because the new jobs aren't all in one area and aren't coming all at once, so they won't have a "concentrated" impact.

Even so, Heiden-Guss says any type of growth is a good sign.

"It is a positive step and we believe it is a turning point," she said. "We are seeing increased activity, a number of green type businesses, and a number of inquiries."

The hope now from those like Hundt: that this is just the beginning of even better signs still lie ahead.

South Bend Tribune staff writers contributed to this report