The Effect of the RV Industry on Elkhart, Indiana

Undoubtedly, everybody can see the unemployment rate around the country is spiking.  Across the entire economy, jobs are being cut whether its retail, wholesale, manufacturing or service segments.  However, high gas prices along with a weakening credit and housing market has not hit anywhere as hard as it has hit Elkhart.  With RV manufacturers, dealers, and suppliers slowly collapsing under the pressure of the market, our area has a staggering 9.3% unemployment rate. If that seems unusually high, it is the highest unemployment rate per capita in the United States. Almost everybody you talk to has been directly or indirectly affected by the struggling RV industry.  However, the RV industry has always been cyclical, and it will rebound.  It still remains a less expensive vacation option than flights, hotels, and rental cars.