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April 2, 2009
ELKHART, IN - There’s actually some good economic news to report out of an Indiana county known for its share of bad economic news.
Elkhart County has one of the nation’s highest unemployment rates. In fact, that brought President Obama to the area in early in 2009 to talk about ways to repair the economy. That area has been hit hard in the past several months by job cuts in the RV industry. The bad news ended Thursday afternoon, at least for now, as 500 new jobs were announced.
"Elkhart County is not some long-term economic basket case," Governor Mitch Daniels said Thursday afternoon.
500 new jobs will be divided among seven different companies in the Elkhart region, like Izzy Furniture.
"Izzy is named after my granddaughter, Isabel, her nickname is Izzy. And we dedicated the business to her for the future of the next generation of work," said Chuck Saylor of Izzy Furniture.
That company chose the Elkhart region because of incentives like a low cost of living and operating, and being close to key transportation points.
Meantime, the governor says the best thing people can do while waiting for work is to simply go back to school. That's because a lot has changed with technology and our lifestyle in the last 30, 20, or even 10 years.
"In terms of human capital and the knowledge-base of our employees, we've got a ways to go. We have the best people and the best workers in America, and we have to stay that way," Governor Daniels said.
The state's “Rapid Response” program pays tuition at Ivy Tech for nearly 2,000 area unemployed Hoosiers. Annette Silvers is one of them. She was recently let go from Monaco Coach.
"That is one of the best blessings to ever come my way," said Silvers.
She's 45, and is on her way to earning an associates degree for a better job. She says the 500 new jobs, and her education couldn't come at a better time.
"You're never too old to learn! Knowledge is a wonderful thing," said Silvers, who hopes to earn one of those new positions.
The jobs won’t be completely filled until 2011, and the companies will invest more than $22 million in the Elkhart area.
Background about the seven companies:
* Oasis Lifestyle, LLC: Oasis Lifestyle, a manufacturer of custom bathroom fixtures including tubs and showers, will relocate its Aurora, Ill.-based manufacturing facility to Plymouth, adding $2.1 million in capital investment and over 95 jobs by 2011.
* Lake Cable of Elkhart, LLC: Lake Cable of Elkhart is 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 its new Elkhart facility, creating more than 20 jobs over the next year.
* Fortis Plastics, LLC: Fortis Plastics, a custom-molded plastics company, 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.
* Precision Tank & Equipment Company: Steel and fiberglass tank manufacturer Precision Tank and Equipment 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, Inc.: Bremen Castings, an iron machine castings manufacturer will expand its Marshall County facility adding 66 new jobs. The fourth-generation, family-owned company plans to invest $5.6 million to grow its machining, painting and pattern shop.
* Intercambio Express, Inc.: Money transmitter Intercambio Express recently announced it will locate its headquarters in Elkhart and hire an additional 51 information technology (IT) 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: izzy, formerly Jami, Inc., recently announced it will expand its Middlebury operations creating more than 115 jobs in the next three years. The Grand Haven, Michigan-based commercial chair manufacturer will invest $640,000 in equipment and building improvements.
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