msnbc.com has launched "The Elkhart Project," an editorial initiative that tells the story of the nation's economic crisis through the residents of Elkhart, Indiana. msnbc.com and NBC News will document the personal stories of struggle and survival in this small Midwestern city where the recession has hit hard.

"We're making a commitment to cover this catastrophic national story in a personal and local way," said Jennifer Sizemore, Editor-In-Chief of msnbc.com. "That's why we've chosen Elkhart, a place with the highest unemployment rate in the country yet a place with hope for recovery - a place where the president has visited and promised help."

Said Steve Capus, president of NBC News: "By combining the power of continuing NBC News coverage of the crisis with msnbc.com's insightful reporting from Elkhart, we're uniquely positioned to provide viewers with a depth of coverage unmatched in today's news arena."

Msnbc.com's journalists are also collaborating with The Elkhart Truth, and with Moody's Economy.com to create the "Adversity Index" allowing consumers to compare and contrast their own cities with Elkhart.