Indiana's auto industry is slowly getting back on its feet, restoring strength in manufacturing and the state's economy.
On Tuesday, President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden visited a Chrysler plant in Kokomo, Ind., as part of their White House to Main Street campaign, illustrating federal support for a renewed strength in manufacturing. Their visit took place the same day that Chrysler announced an $843 million investment in its two Kokomo facilities.
Investment in the middle class is necessary for America's economy to bounce back, Biden said.
"When you guys have jobs, guess what happens: the coffee shop stays open, the barber shop stays open, the restaurant stays open," he said. "People in fact have jobs. This has an effect all the way through the economy."
During the past few decades, towns like Elkhart and Kokomo were hit hardest as manufacturing jobs disappeared.
Funding through federal stimulus and investment by major automotive companies is helping turn around the economy and the morale of service workers.
Chrysler's investment will allow the company to retain 2,250 jobs and increase productivity in front wheel-drive transmissions.
Steve McClellan has worked for Chrysler for 17 years, and he's worked in Kokomo since the plant was built nine years ago. He said it was encouraging to hear from Obama during his visit.
"[Creating more jobs] is all I've been hoping for, to get people off the streets," he said. "Like President Obama said, we've got a long way to go. I hope it's going to be good in the end."
Kokomo Mayor Greg Goodnight said Obama's visit strengthened morale at the plant, but what matters more is knowing Chrysler is going to invest more than $800 million in the Kokomo facilities.
The investment will reach beyond the city. Goodnight said Chrysler is the largest employer in the northwestern part of the state, bringing in employees from outside the city.
Obama recognized a couple of Chrysler employees during his speech. Sharon Ybarra was hired at Chrysler after a brief unemployment. Her last job was at a communications company in Marion.
"I'm a new hire, due to the president and the stimulus," she said. "It is terrible out there. I was submitting résumés, filling out applications. It's hard for someone in their mid-50s to compete against someone in their 20s.
Ybarra said she tried for 30 years to get a job at Chrysler.
"I did not give up on myself. Obama did not give up on us," she said.
Obama said bailing out the auto industry was a tough decision. He said it was the right decision, especially now that Americans are finally buying more from the top American manufacturing companies — Ford, GM and Chrysler — than foreign companies.
"Don't bet against America," Obama said to a crowd of Chrysler workers as they stood and began to cheer.
"Don't bet against the American auto industry. Don't bet against the American workforce. Don't bet against it."
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