By Tim Vandenack, Truth Staff
tvandenack@etruth.com
ELKHART -- With the looming layoffs of more than 1,400 Monaco Coach Corp. workers, Elkhart County leaders plan to pursue a federal grant to fund increased worker retraining efforts.
Beyond that, they say, the situation underscores the need to redouble moves to broaden the range of goods manufactured here so the blow isn't so stinging when the recreational vehicle industry, as periodically occurs, takes a hit.
"It's gotten to the point where obviously we need to ramp it up," said Kyle Hannon, vice president of public policy for the Greater Elkhart Chamber of Commerce. Life sciences, in particular, is one potential new growth area.
A week after Monaco's dramatic announcement that it would shutter its operations in Elkhart, Wakarusa and Nappanee, officials are still scrambling to cobble together a plan of action in response. Even so, elements are coming together.
Terry Rodino, president of the Elkhart County Board of Commissioners, said Thursday the region could be in line for grant funding to help cover job retraining costs for the workers getting the ax. He, County Council president John Letherman and others from the county met Wednesday with a representative from the U.S. Department of Commerce in Washington, D.C., to discuss the matter.
"He seemed very optimistic and made it sound like it could become a reality," said Rodino, part of a contingent that traveled to Washington as part of the annual chamber-sponsored visit there to discuss issues of local import.
That's hardly an end-all solution though, if it comes to fruition. In that vein, Rodino and the other county commissioners also are calling for help in researching the long-term viability of the RV and manufactured housing sectors, which dominate here.
Among the issues they think should be considered are the possibility of additional layoffs and whether enough research and development funds are being allocated to help RV manufacturers "adjust to a new energy environment," they said.
Through it all, Rodino, in his dealings with officials at various levels, gets the sense that everyone is working full-bore to address the situation.
"The state and everybody else has been fast-tracking everything," he said.
And Hannon emphasized that the focus has to remain on those losing their jobs. "Really, the big concern is the 1,400 people," he said.