President Barack Obama returned to the Keystone State Friday to talk jobs.

The administration billed it as the first stop on the president's White House to Main Street tour.

President Obama wants to hear from ordinary Americans about what they are going through during the economic recovery.

The president came to Lehigh Carbon Community College Friday on the heels of some good news about the economy, news he was happy to share.

"So today's report is another hopeful sign that the steps we've taken, difficult steps, have helped turn the tide," Obama told the crowd.

The report the president refers to is from the labor department showing a drop in the nation's double-digit unemployment.

The president calls it "modestly encouraging."

Maureen Lucchino, who traveled to Lehigh Carbon Community College from Shavertown, calls it something else. "I think its an indicator. I really do feel confident."

The president admits the economy can use some encouraging news and some confidence and that, he said, is why he's taking this White House to Main Street tour.

According to some in the audience the president has hi work cut out for him.

Deborah Orans of Allentown said the economy there is not very good right now. "I don't think it's good anywhere right now," she added.

"I think there are a lot of families still struggling and it'll take a while before the economy will pick itself up here in the Lehigh Valley," said Barbara Kistler of New Tripoli.

"And right now the most important thing President Obama can do to stem the tide of loss of jobs is to improve that credit market," said small business owner Betty Smith.

Don Cunningham is the Lehigh County executive. "The one thing we'd love to see is some quicker flow through of the Federal Recovery Act money and the stimulus money," Cunningham said.

Before his address at the college the president met with workers at Allentown Metal Works. He praised the owners there for expanding and pledged a renewed effort to get Americans back on their feet. The president credited the stimulus plan with creating or preserving 1.6 million jobs.

"So on Tuesday, I'll be speaking in greater detail on the proposals I'm sending to Congress to jump start private sector hiring and get more Americans back to work," Obama said. The Associated Press reports the president will ask Congress next week to cut taxes on small businesses, allowing them to hire new workers.

"I did not run for president to sweep our problems under the rug with the next election in mind. I ran for president to solve our problems once and for all, with the next generation in mind. That's what we're doing right now," said the president.

There was one request the president could not grant.

"Maybe if you checked out some of the statistics about legalizing prostitution, gambling, drugs and non-violent crime in order to stimulate the economy," one audience member suggested. The president promised that won't be part of his jobs plan.