By Myra Bean

Standard Construction Company opened in March and held a grand opening and ribbon cutting Friday morning, May 3. Standard is located at the end of Old Panola Road which ends at the Tate County line in Como.

Harrison Hunt, vice president/owner, was the speaker for the company. He outlined what Standard does as an asphalt paving contractor, and sand and gravel supplier to different concrete companies.

The company also supplies sand and gravel for miscellaneous construction whether it is fill sand for pipe projects, or building a gas station or road gravel for a residential driveway.

Standard Construction provides supplies for landscaping, landscape rock or sand for the bottom of pools.  The company has been in business in Memphis for over 50 years. They operate from the Tennessee River to the Mississippi River down south into Desoto, Tate, Panola and Marshall counties.

Hunt said company officials met Panola County Supervisor James Birge and built some other relationships in Panola County which helped them make the decision to locate here.

The main reason, according to Hunt, was the high quality sand and gravel in the area.

He  said the company follows state mandates to protect the environment.

So far six people work at the local site but the company employs 150. Pam Trailer is the sales person in charge of all material, from residential driveways to a large construction project.

“We are happy to supply. We deliver as well,” Hunt said.