Manufacturing has been hard hit in some areas, including Georgia.

However, a recent report in the Augusta Chronicle shows that some areas in the state may be improving. John Deere is helping with that, as it reports improved earnings and sales.

Ken Golden, a spokesman for John Deere, told the paper that the company's sales of utility tractors were up double digits in July. This type of equipment is produced at its Grovestown plant in Georgia.

"Tractors such as those made in Augusta by John Deere are sold to a wide variety of customers, from those who actually farm for a living to organizations that maintain parks and other types of turf care and to individuals who have acreages that require tractors that can handle more activities than a lawn tractor," Golden said.

For the last number of months, John Deere has reported it has outpaced sales when compared to the rest of equipment producers.

It is also refocusing its efforts on its core equipment business to better handle the current economic climate. That includes selling its wind-energy businesses to Exelon Corp.