ELKHART, Ind. (AP): Elkhart Mayor Tim Neese says he hopes President Barack Obama’s visit will give the city a chance to show the nation how it persevered through the tough times and is thriving.

Neese says the northern Indiana city of about 52,000 residents came out of the recession stronger. The Republican mayor who took office in January says he doesn’t want to get into how much credit Obama deserves for the turnaround, but says he firmly believes it’s the workers and the business owners who deserve much of the credit.

He ready to welcome Obama on Wednesday, saying it’s always an honor to have the president visit.

Former Mayor Dick Moore, a Democrat, believes Obama deserves some credit for the turnaround. He says federal money was critical.