The economic slowdown experienced across the United States also plagued north-central Indiana. The metropolitan areas of South Bend–Mishawaka (St. Joseph County, Indiana, and Cass County, Michigan) and Elkhart-Goshen (Elkhart County, Indiana) faced a sluggish economy in 2007. The year started slowly and remained slow-moving until an upturn in the third quarter. While uncertainties about the local economy persist, the outlook for 2008 looks marginally better than the past year as the national economy gains momentum.