Elkhart Chamber Joins Discussion with U.S. Chamber about Putting the People of Indiana Back to Work

U.S. Chamber Outlines Strategy as Part of Campaign for Free Enterprise

ELKHART, IN—Leaders from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's American Free Enterprise. Dream Big. campaign joined the Greater Elkhart Chamber of Commerce's annual meeting today to discuss how to create 20 million jobs nationwide—509,269 in Indiana alone—in the next 10 years.

"The issue that's top of mind here in Indiana and around the nation is jobs," said Ben Taylor, director of the U.S. Chamber's Great Lakes Regional office. "With a quarter million jobs lost in the last two years, Indiana has become ground zero for U.S. economic recovery efforts. Innovation and creation will lead Elkhart and the state back to prosperity. Free enterprise will be their vehicle."

The Elkhart Chamber's Annual Meeting and Luncheon provided an opportunity for the U.S. Chamber's Campaign for Free Enterprise to share its ideas with business leaders in Indiana and to help spur action to meet the 20 Million Job Challenge. Chamber executives are traveling around the country to engage business leaders, community officials, and American citizens in a dialogue about the role of free enterprise in job creation and long-term economic prosperity. Events like today's in Elkhart will promote the Chamber's Strategy for New American Jobs which includes specific policy recommendations in the areas of trade, infrastructure, energy, capital markets, education, and fiscal policy that will accelerate economic growth and get Americans back to work.

"The government has been helpful but only the private sector can provide the half million jobs Indiana needs," said Phil Penn, president and CEO of the Greater Elkhart Chamber of Commerce. "The spirit of free enterprise allowed Elkhart to become the 'RV Capital of the World', and that same spirit remains alive today."

The visit follows U.S. Chamber President and CEO Thomas Donohue's annual State of American Business address, in which he outlined top priorities for accelerating economic recovery and a strategy for job growth to get Americans back to work in 2010 and beyond. The campaign also recently launched the I am Free Enterprise video contest, which invites all aspiring and established entrepreneurs to share their story of free enterprise for a chance to win $50,000.

American Free Enterprise. Dream Big. is the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's comprehensive, multiyear campaign to support free enterprise through national advertising; grassroots advocacy; citizen, community, and youth engagement; and research and ideas leadership.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations.

# # #