Some say Elkhart job opportunities are improving

ELKHART — If you want to know how the economy is doing, go out to eat. Any fluctuation in jobs is felt in places like this. We tend to feel it. Actually we have gotten a little busier and we are hiring a couple new people. Elkhart Restaurant owner Tony Anagnos hadn't seen the latest job numbers, but he believes things are starting to turn around. And new numbers from the federal government confirms that. ” That is really not a big surprise. We are seeing evidence across the economy of some pickup,” said Anagnos. Experts say the growth is a good thing but there is still a long way to go. The number of long term unemployed has increased and many worry this upswing won't last long. Labor Department official Ed Montgomery says while the growth is in part due to an increase in temporary jobs, the numbers are by no means temporary. “That is a leading indicator that business is getting strong is I get more confident I'll make that person a full time person,” said Montgomery. “They may be temp jobs but it is an indicator of good things to come.” Montgomery was in Elkhart to talk get a first hand look at the progress being made here. City officials say they are seeing growth. Gunite announced it would not be closing its Elkhart plant. Monday, the Common Council approved tax incentives for another 225 jobs for Heartland RV. Additionally, THINK North America recently announced it will be building electric cars in Elkhart County. “Here in Elkhart, I think as we continue moving on economic development we are coming out of this quicker than most economic experts said we were. I don't think it is a temp comeback at all I think it will be permanent. I think our figures will look good in the near future,” said Elkhart Mayor Dick Moore. "This is a good step. A hopeful step. We are not happy, we have to get all of those unemployed people back to work," said Montgomery.