In Thursday’s edition of this newspaper we announced how ABC Bus in Nappanee is growing, which we think is something that will help that community continue to recover from the economic beating it took at the hands of the recession.
The people of Nappanee have always been known to be earnest, hard-working and diligent. The recreational vehicle industry recognized these fine traits among the city’s people many decades ago and located manufacturing plants there to capitalize on that work ethic. Unfortunately, the recession slapped the RV industry very hard and through no fault of their own, RV company owners had to downsize and some RV companies simply disappeared.
Since the recession, Nappanee, like the rest of Elkhart County, has been pulling together to cope with the loss of jobs and the loss of opportunities. So, when we hear of a success story like ABC Bus, we are grateful and want to let the world know that Nappanee’s economy is inching forward.
What we really like about this development is that ABC Bus is in a slightly different segment of the economy than the RV industry. As we have seen during the recession and the slow growth since then, having a large segment of our local economy in just one area can have a devastating impact on jobs and families when trouble arrives. While ABC Bus does service RVs, the company does not build them or sell them. The company’s main focus is on repairing interstate buses, something that bus companies find much more economical than purchasing new buses for their fleets.
Now ABC Bus is growing and the company needs skilled mechanics who can service diesel engines. Fortunately, we have in Elkhart and St. Joseph counties, Ivy Tech campuses that can offer automotive technology training for workers considering that line of work. It will take some time to train mechanics, but we believe that Ivy Tech and the Elkhart County Economic Development Corp. and local school districts should come together and meet with ABC Bus leaders to discuss if the proper programs are in place to make sure there will be a continuing supply of trained workers to meet the company’s needs for years to come.
Now that we have some success going in Nappanee’s economy and there is a new segment of the local economy forming, we should do everything possible to make sure the community is providing the right resources to support ABC Bus.
Opinion
New economic segment good for the county
- Opinion
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Goshen neighborhood stands together on north side
Sometimes a news photographer is at the optimum location at exactly the right time. Goshen News staffer Sam Householder was in such a spot Wednesday.
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We just can’t thank our moms enough
The purpose of this editorial is quite simple. We just want to say, “Thanks, mom.” And by “mom” we mean all of the great mothers in our community who have gone above and beyond to lead the way in the development of their children.
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Letter carriers help to Stamp Out Hunger
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Farmers are positive this will be the year
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It's time to spruce up the Maple City
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Smooth sailing for this year’s regular session
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Palm Sunday tornadoes a reminder of sudden danger
It was a beautiful day, most people around these parts who can remember will tell you. It was one of those near-perfect, early spring days, they would likely say, a stark contrast to what early evening would bring on April 11, 1965.
Yes, the Palm Sunday tornado outbreak of 1965, is still very vivid in our local history five decades later. Those were days before Doppler Radar, 24-7 cable television, countywide siren warning systems and even seatbelts in most cars. So, when afternoon turned to early evening, many local residents had little or no warning that killer tornadoes were nearly on top of them. -
Graduation is always a great achievement
While many of us have been waiting patiently – some not so patiently – for spring to finally show up in Northern Indiana, students throughout the area have been busy working on term papers, taking tests and ordering caps and gowns.
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Carl Weaver has inspired many at GHS
Goshen High School teacher Carl Weaver has created one of the most successful science program in the United States, and we, on behalf of the thousands of students who have experienced the program, thank him.
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