I grew up in Elkhart and now live in Indianapolis. My parents and my sister still live there. It breaks my heart to know how the people of such a wonderful city are struggling. Thanks to MSNBC I can check in everyday and see faces I once knew and hear their stories. I hope that the city can evolve and become a strong business community that holds diversity for the future. Hang in there Elkhart!!!!

"got God?"(TM) Don"t forget to {Wear Your Faith!} at the Fair...
chk web-site:

Remember, We Are All
Blessed To Be A Blessing!

I grew up in Wakarusa and now live in Clarendon, Texas. I have a Brother that still lives in Elkhart (Retired).

It's very difficult for me to comphrehend the down fall of the RV Industry in Northern Indiana.

I'm encouraged by the reporting of MSNBC on people that have decided to stay in Elkhart that see a brighter future for the city.

I'm considering a true Texas BBQ Joint business in the Elkhart area.

Keep up the good work on Elkhart MSNBC.

I worked & lived in the Elkhart & Mishawaka area in the 1990s & it is sad to hear about the rv industry downfall. I know it was the main industry, I am sorry all my friends in the area are in such a tough spot. I have fond memories of the area & wish all a recovery soon.I was in the motel business & had a lot of interaction with the businesses there.

I grew up in Elkhart, owned a business for 20 years there, and moved to Lafayette 7 years ago. I know MANY people there and they are strong, determined, die-hard people who have been through this before. Anyone remember the '70's? I know you will all rally just like you have many times before.

Why are people still beating this story about Elkhart around the bush. Times are tough all over not just this one town.

Hey Elkhart Proect,

We here at Storybook Ent. wish we could be at the Fair, but duty calls'

and we have to be working on a project in the Calif. desert. I do want to

tell you that come Sept., an intriguing story concerning Elkhart and

Hollywood will be coming yor way. Take care and eat a corndog for

us.

that come Sept.

Sorry about misspelling Project in previous comment.

take care

Storybook

I feel very sorry for the people of Elkhart, however I believe that the direction our leaders are taking us will require the people of Elkhart to change careers. Many politicians seem to feel that fuel costs need to be raised (almost in an attempt to punish) to make Americans reduce our fuel usage. Unfortunately for the good people of Elkhart, they are in the political crosshairs. I would hope that one day the politicians will actually understand the world that the average citizen resides in. There is something a little wrong with our political system, when the people in politics are primarily millionaires.

It's time for MSNBC to go home! They don't share the values of Elkhart or Indiana! They just want to exploit the people and make a buck! I am tired of reading articles twisted to fit their agenda. The latest on the Stimulus Money for CR 17 is B.S. It has been on the books for years and was paid for by Major Moves money from the lease of the Indiana Toll Road. Only now that the fed has cash they want it too! Why don't we put the paid union protesters I pass everyday standing on CR 17 to work? Where is that story? Lets get Rachel, Chris and the rest of the gang and maybe turn that tingle for into useable electricity to run the midway!

I'm an Elkhart native, moved to MKE 9 years ago. I've really enjoyed the MSNBC's coverage of what's happening in my hometown. My parents still live there and through them, I've heard the stories of how hard E-town has been hit. Keep up the good work MSNBC! On a brighter note, I tell all my MKE friends how great the Elkhart County Fair is! One of the best!

Hmm.. folks, I told you they would pull my post.....

My family has long roots in Indiana, alot of them still there. From Madison to Muncie and Indianapolis...and places all along the way. It is sad to see that this country fall apart at the hands of socialists and the elites of BOTH parties. Now we have lord obamma and his merry hinchmen driving the final nail in the coffin. Czars? We have 30+? I thought Russia had the only Czar's and the last one died a hundred years ago or so. Do you folks know what a CZAR is??? probably not, that's why this country is falling apart. Now we have MSNBC taking to what they named along time ago, FLY OVER country, a RED state... Why? I don't really know. I guess they want to try and make mends with the people they have offended for so many years. If I were a betting man, MSNBC will NOT give the whole story, more slanted journalism. MSNBC is part of the reason this country IS falling apart!!!!!!! Face it folks, lord obamma and his merry hinchmen (MSNBC included) are foaming at the mouth watching the USA fall apart at their destructive hands. I wish I were able to go to the fair. I would toss alot of fresh produce at MSNBC!!!!! Hmmm, maybe MSNBC would get in the dunking booth? I doubt it.... I bet this post get's pulled!!!!!!! If it does, then YOU will know MSNBC and the rest of their ilk like CBS, ABC, CNN are not on American's side. If you think it's bad now wait till lord obamma passes his so called HEALTH care plan. His health care plan is just to ensure that the "illegal aliens" get good medical care. Look at California, illegals are costing that state BILLIONS! Now theres the CAP and TRADE, clean energy, less reliance on foreign oil! I am a product of lord obamma, I have been laid off since Jan 2009 from the oil and gas sector. I was an engineer. Guess what NO JOBS! The oil and gas powers to be have already said that all domestic supplies will stop and we will import 100%. Hmm... sounds like that $4 gas was pretty cheap. Gas will be $10 very soon! Lord obamma and his blindmen... well folks, you got what you wanted.. CHANGE.. better get used to it cause change is all you will see in your paycheck when it's all over, that is if you have a JOB!

I was born in Elkhart, spent my school years in Dunlap (Concord). Lived in Elkhart, Dunlap and then moved to Wawasee( Syracuse). Retired living in Green Valley,AZ. I was lucky and retired from the railroad. Work in the RV Ind. off and on when I was laid off at the Railroad. MY heart goes out for people of Elkhart,you need to remember what 8 years of GWB did for Elkhart. Obama is at least trying and I hope his health care gets passed. I live 30 miles from the Mexican Border and saw what Bush did not do for America. Illegal and drug smugging has ran rapid thru here.

I lived in Elkhart County 4 years in the 70's and 8 years of the last 13. Both times I was very aware of the problems facing ordinary people. The economy has always been a struggle for some of the population there - this is nothing new - it's just that now the hard times are hitting more people. I just keep thinking that the real problem with our economy is what has been underlying things for a long time - hundreds of years. It is the belief many people have that getting money is a good thing, getting a lot is a better thing, and getting it all is a valid goal! That has led to the thinking that what is mine is mine and what is yours is mine, too. These attitudes are very destructive to community. People who are focused only on so-called "good" jobs, and not focused on the good of the whole community and the nested environment that we all live in that is the foundation of life, are not getting it!! We have it backwards. If we take care of number one (God, and God's green earth) then Number One will take care of us. And it was God's son who said whatever we do to others, we do to God. So I guess if we rob from other people, we do it do God. If we "rape" the earth we do it to God. If we fail to love each other and build up our community we're doing that to God, too.We need a radically different economy where we are more interested in the health and wellbeing of our environment and the other person than in our own comfort and wealth. Then things can get back in balance again. If things don't get balanced we humans are just going to destroy our "home" through our greed and carelessness and hatred of others. We need to learn compassion first, and banking second.

Thank you MSNBC for the coverage. My cousin lives in South Bend and has a business and he seems to be busy. Very nice people there and I hope to see recovery come to Elkhart.

I grew up in Goshen in Elkhart County and returned there when we retired 8 years ago. I love the place and my heart breaks at how tough things are. However, the county and state has chosen to punish people who wish to own homes there, but not in the winter. We have sold out due to taxes of $8000. on a nice but not spectacular home. We were the perfect homeowners - paid taxes and didn't use many services. I'm glad MSNBC is featuring Elkhart and I will continue to track it.

Donald Trump has Initiated something for the average American that Should help the Elkhart area as well as the rest of the country at MyTrumpUSA.com

If I knew what the heck was going on with Jobs, CREDIT and this crazy economy

I would love to buy an Rv (GREEN SUV)----But I have been Outsourced ,downsized and ripped off by those predetory banks----So if people have NO JOBS , they will not use credit , they should not be RIPPED OFF and the NO RAISE, NO Promotion, No one get's ahead Too much predetory Debt

People are either making $800,ooo or $8.00 TOO LARGE OF A WAGE GAP.

So as an OLder continual life long learner I can not BUY anything untill I unfrezze my entire life . I paid my taxes raised my kids and did what I thought was the RIGHT THING to do . I have had enough.

I feel for these people, but enough of this Elkhart crap..we are all in the same boat financially. It seems as of MSNBC is either getting paid to promote Elkhart or the lead writer is from Elkhart.

I am more interested in what is going on in the US as a whole not just this small town!

I feel for these people, but enough of this Elkhart crap..we are all in the same boat financially. It seems as of MSNBC is either getting paid to promote Elkhart or the lead writer is from Elkhart.

I am more interested in what is going on in the US as a whole not just this small town!

Hi Patricia. We have all had enough. We can not give up though. Not now! Now is the time that we all can get together and make something big, out of a seeming cluster.....! Like Sam Houston, I see this as an entry level position for all of us:) As long as we can keep the greedy out ( the banks ), and the powers that be ( ie. tax hungry.gov ) chilled, we the people can make a start to un-ruin what is left for us to hold on to. To make better for our children. And that we can see happening with our own eyes. Instead of what looks good on paper.

And yes, optimist1-1061290. Those that have been,for many years assured of a good factory job would love to change careers. the only problem with that is that they were guaranteed a job, a good paying one, once they got to 18 yrs old! Even the Amish joined in,and a lot of them, for the first time, are joining the ranks of the unemployed. I have had many jobs, and know how to do many things very well. For the first time in my life I can say that I am in the " heartbeat of America ) I, and my wife are still employed in the county of Elkhart. We both work the third shift and worked the last 13 days in a row. We are lucky in the fact that the people that care there started creating " magic " a few years before it was really needed. And yes. There is a very terrible wrong in pothe pollitical system. It is that what looks good on paper!

Hi Daniel-1020786 Nothing rongwit yu speelin. It's all good. I understoooood:)

I was just in Elkhart the first week in July/2009. I had lived there for over 40 years. It was sad to see all the changes to the Elkhart area. Back in the 70's and 80' Elkhart was thriving town due to major company ( Bayer corp ). One can only hope that the future changes in our economy can be a positve step it the write direction to revive the Elkhart area.

I have watched msnbc do their story of Elkhart since it's start. We lost jobs at about 1000 jobs a week starting last summer. When Obama was here campaining, he listened and vowed to come back. He did. We finally got the attention that we needed to help pull ourselves up with hope. We watched our families and friends lose their jobs much earlier than that. We have hope, faith but most of all we help each other when we can. Those of us, that still have a job, wonder when it will be our last day at work. What MSNBC is doing is not just for Elkhart BUT the Nation as a whole! We know that we aren't alone in this, but they can't be everywhere else. The crew here is, wonderful they are decent people doing their job!

Thanks again msnbc!