For the 29th year, East Mississippi Community College recognized partners in the industry, government, education and other communities with its annual Industry Appreciation Luncheon.
The event was held on the EMCC Mayhew campus, and drew close to 300 attendees representing entities in the Golden Triangle and beyond. Several dignitaries spoke including Three Rivers Planning and Development District Executive Director Randy Kelley, EMCC Vice president of Community and Workforce Services Raj Shaunak and Mississippi State University and University of Alabama President Emeritus Malcolm Portera,who gave an update on the Communiversity, or Center for
Manufacturing Technology Excellence (CMTE) 2.0 project currently under construction near the campus.
“It is wealth creators like you that we are grateful for, because that is what lifts our community,” Shaunak said. “It is the aspiration of people who go to work in some of the most advanced manufacturing, not only in the region, the state, perhaps in the immediate surrounding states. We appreciate everything you bring. We appreciate the jobs that you create, but we also appreciate the challenge you create for us at East Mississippi Community College in trying to meet your ever-improving skills requirements. “
Shaunak also gave an overview of the growth of industry in the region over the year. He also discussed ups and downs manufacturing had seen in the region, including a drastic drop between 1993 and 2003, which ended with Airbus Helicopters, then known as Eurocopter choosing to build a plant on the Golden Triangle Regional Airport. He also discussed Yokohama’s coming to West Point after Bryan Foods had shuttered its plant there.
“We are listening to you, business and industry,” Shaunak said. “You represent the greatest. You guide us as to where we need to be in the future. Who would have thought that after Airbus Helicopters, we’d have two drone companies, Stark and Aurora Flight Sciences, we’d have the world’s most magnificent mini steel mill. Who would have thought that PACCAR Engine Company would decide to put their only plant in the United States, building engines less than a mile away?”
Kelley, the keynote speaker, discussed industry growth and development in his district, which encompasses eight counties in north Mississippi. He discussed the importance of workforce development and other programs, and emphasized the importance of partnership.
“In the Mississippi Partnership region, the average industrial manufacturing salary is $47,000,” Kelley said. “Turn that over to the McDonalds, the clothing stores, to the restaurants, to the taxpayers to provide law enforcement, police protection and education for our young coming up to provide the new workforce. We thank you for what you do, for your investment, for your commitment to north Mississippi.”
The event also included awards given to local businesses for service to EMCC and the community. The highest honor, the Director’s Award went to unmanned aerial system (UAS), or drone manufacturer Aurora Flight Sciences. Aurora operates out of a plant located on the Golden Triangle Regional Airport, and was recently acquired by leading aerospace firm Boeing. The company has been located in the Golden Triangle since 2005.
Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle received the 2018 Best Practices Award, and 4-County Electric received the 2018 Special Recognition Award.