Vilsack brings message of hope to Ind.

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Half of President Obama's cabinet will be in the Midwest this week, trying to send a message of hope to communities hit hard by the failing auto industry.

Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack visited three Indiana communities Tuesday. His Indianapolis visit brought him to a friendly audience at the FFA National Headquarters on the northwest side.

It comes a day after General Motors announced it would close an Indianapolis plant, eliminating more than a 1,000 jobs.

Secretary Vilsack said the federal government is investing several billion dollars in Indiana. He said he expects that investment to create or retain some 75,000 jobs.

"And so it's important and necessary for us to continue to get this message out; there is a new economy being built; we are reinvesting in infrastructure that's so important; and we are helping families that are struggling through these tough times."

Vilsack also pointed to environmental efforts the Obama administration is undertaking.

"In our case, in USDA, we're investing in a lot of water projects. Trying to clean up the water, trying to prevent flooding," said Vilsack.

One water quality project is in Terre Haute. Vilsack was there Tuesday morning. After his stop in Indianapolis, he appeared in Danville.

The agriculture secretary is one of eight Obama cabinet members blitzing the Midwest this week.

Energy Secretary Steve Chu was also in Fort Wayne Tuesday. He toured a heat pump manufacturing plant there, and spoke at a university about the president's economic recovery plan.

Half a dozen other cabinet members are expected in the Midwest this week. They'll work to sell President Obama's economic recovery package in Ohio, Michigan and Wisconsin.