By John Howell Sr.

The Panola Partnership recognized General Electric Aviation as the county’s business of the year during its 14th annual meeting and dinner Thursday, April 15.

Partnership Chief Executive Officer Sonny Simmons told the filled facility at Como’s 211 Main Hall that the aviation composites manufacturer on Highway 6 East in Batesville will employ over 450 by 2012. In December, GE Aviation announced an expansion that will add an additional 350 workers at the composites facility and includes an additional $100 million investment. Plant leader Jeanne Edwards accepted the award for GE Aviation.

Karlee Darby was selected Panola County’s Miss Hospitality. Darby, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Leslie Darby, was sponsored by the Batesville Rotary Club as their entry in the Miss Hospitality selection.

First alternate in the Miss Hospitality was Cathy Vinson, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jim Vinson.

North Delta Headmaster John Howell Jr. received the James Hal Moore Excellence in Education Award. Meg Bartlett was recognized as the Partnership’s Citizen of the Year for her volunteer work in Como. John Reed was named Ambassador of the Year from the group of Panola Partnership volunteers who regularly support Partnership functions dressed in distinctive red sports jackets.

Simmons said that recruiting industry to Panola involves a team whose members include representatives of Tallahatchie Valley Electric Power Association, Tennessee Valley Authority and Entergy and the Mississippi Development Authority, the North Mississippi Development Association, Northwest Mississippi Community College and the WIN Job Center.

The Partnership CEO said “continued aggressive marketing” of Panola County will involve the City of Batesville and the Panola County Board of Supervisors as well as the team resources.

“We going to do our best to develop the airport industrial park; we need a fully served site,” Simmons said.

Simmons said also that there has been a recent expression of interest in the “Como site” — land near the Como interstate exit at the intersection of Interstate 55 and Highway 310.

In addition to GE Aviation, Simmons said the year’s activity included recruitment of Anderson Technologies to the old Batesville American building on Highway 51 south. The Partnership assisted during 2009 with expansion at five existing industries that provided 225 new jobs and $35 million in new investments, he said.