About nine in ten RVs produced in the world are made in northern Indiana. But, high gas prices may mean people have less money to spend on extras like recreational vehicles.

“Over the last three years, we’ve set manufacturing records and consumer purchase records. So, we’re pleased to see that level of growth,” said Chris Stager, Economic Development Corp. of Elkhart County CEO, on Inside Indiana Business.

But, despite the record growth, the industry could be in some trouble if gas prices go much higher.

“If it hits a five-dollar threshold then I think it’s gonna start to definitely impair our ability to sell these out to the public,” he said. “Discretionary money for every family now is a challenge, discretionary purchases actually when you have to get to work and have to pay high fuel costs all play into that.”

The RV industry took a hit in the crash of 2009, causing high unemployment in Elkhart County.

Stager said that the supply chain provided by the RV industry is also critical because it “sells into the automotive space as well as the RV space”.

Stager said filling all of the jobs in the industry is more difficult now because there are more jobs than there are workers with the right skills.

“We’re not unique. It’s a national phenomenon. nut more pronounced in manufacturing economies that require a certain set of skills,” he said. “It’s challenging for our industries to produce the products they need because we’re technically fully employed.”