Obama to visit Elkhart for stimulus support

President Barack Obama will speak at noon today in Elkhart, Ind., in an effort to gain support for his economic stimulus bill.

This is the president’s first business trip outside the beltway since his inauguration Jan. 20.  

Indiana’s unemployment rate hit 8.2 percent in December, but Elkhart’s has soared to 15.3 percent, making it one of the highest in the nation, according to the Indiana Department of Labor.

The northern Indiana city was once home to the R.V. manufacturing industry, but high gas prices led to a drop in sales. The companies were eventually forced to lay off employees.
Elkhart is 20 miles east of South Bend.

Obama’s speech is part of his effort to sell his economic stimulus plan to Congress and the public. The original $819 billion bill passed in the House but with no support from Republicans.

The Senate is debating the bill and is scheduled to vote on it Tuesday.

Elkhart’s Mayor Dick Moore said in a press release the bill could create more than 2,000 jobs in the area through public works projects such as updating the city’s water system and improving the airport runways.

The speech will take place at Concord High School in Elkhart and is open only to ticket
holders.