One year ago today, a visit from President Obama made Elkhart, Indiana the poster child for the economic recession.

On February 9th, 2009, the president spoke at Concord High School in support of his economic stimulus package.

Today, some in Elkhart chose to mark the occasion by accentuating the positive—economically speaking.

Statistics show that the Elkhart area economy hasn’t improved much in the past year.

When President Obama visited last February, the unemployment rate was 15.3 percent--today, it is 14.8 percent.

Yet, some contend that statistics don’t tell the whole story.

“(I’m) Working Saturdays, I just worked last Sunday, so I haven’t had a day off this month,” said Aaron Peters, who works at Colbert Packaging.

While Elkhart may be better known for its long unemployment lines—there are still some thriving production lines—at plants like Colbert’s.

“Elkhart’s alive and well,” said Arvis Dawson, an Assistant to Elkhart’s Mayor.

While the Elkhart area has suffered a great deal of economic pain, a rally was held at Colbert Packaging today to make it clear that the “City with a Heart” still has a pulse.

“There are a number of us in the community that are doing quite well,” said Colbert President James B. Hamilton. “This past year we increased our workforce here about 10 percent, so we feel that’s quite good for the economic conditions we’re in today.”

The company realizes that its good fortune has not been shared by everyone in the area. In trying to line up baked goods for the rally, Colbert staff found that the telephone numbers of about a half dozen bakeries in the directory had been disconnected.

It’s not that President Obama created the wrong impression during his visit to Concord High School a year ago—it’s more that he may have left a lasting impression that doesn’t tell the full story.

“Things are happening that are positive, that’s what we want to convey to the world that Elkhart is alive and vibrant and ready to move forward after a stumble in the road,” said Arvis Dawson.

President Obama had been invited to the rally, but declined the invitation.