Chamber of Commerce economic luncheon predicts positive future for city of Elkhart

ELKHART, Ind. -- At the Greater Elkhart Chamber of Commerce’s annual economic luncheon Tuesday, investment experts shared their take on national economic trends and how they’re set to affect the heart city.

Chief Investment Strategist for Fifth-Third Bank, Tom Jalic, says the current policies in place by the Trump administration should lead to positive economic gains for the city if they’re allowed to come to fruition.

Jalic described the policies as a three-legged stool based on: tariffs and trade, business deregulation and the so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill”.

He also emphasized that consumer sentiment is important for a manufacturing city like Elkhart, which relies on the RV industry. Sentiment dipped nationally in the latest June report, but is still nearly 10% higher than April of 2025, which saw the lowest sentiment report in years.

Jalic says once tariff rates are finalized, locals can expect a short economic slowdown, with positive gains returning by the end of 2026.