stimulus

Elkhart, Ind., is known as the RV-making capital of the world. The mayor wants to claim a new title: the electric vehicle capital of the world.

Stimulus grants and other incentives are attracting companies planning to build electric vehicles to Elkhart. It's hoped the new business will fill the void created by a serious slump in recreational vehicle sales.

The Obama administration says the federal government's stimulus program and other actions aimed at jump-starting the economy have saved or created more than a million jobs so far.

Republicans, who generally voted against the stimulus, are skeptical of that number. They point out that more than million fewer Americans are working now than when the stimulus took effect in February.

NPR's Scott Horsley reports.

Japan's economy grew 0.9 percent from March through June. Consumers started buying again, and exports increased — two elements that are crucial to Japan's economy.

Also, the government had stepped in with tax breaks and stimulus money. Germany and France reported last week that their economies had begun to grow again.

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke is on Capitol Hill this week seeking to reassure lawmakers about the state of the economy.

He told them Tuesday that as the economy begins to recover, the Fed will be on the lookout for inflation and has the tools to remove the massive stimulus it's injected to fight the financial crisis.