The Fayette County Chamber of Commerce held its first "Spirit of Industry Award" banquet last week at the Wyndham Peachtree Conference Center and handed out spirit awards to two of the county's leading industries.

Tyrone Rock Products in Tyrone, took the award in the less than 50 employees category and Matsushita Communication Industrial Corp. (Panasonic) was given the more than 50 employees award. These companies will be eligible to enter the state-wide competition sponsored by the Georgia Economic Developers Association.

A number of guidelines were used to pick the winners including the applicant's industrial stability, current investment in plant, property and equipment within Fayette County, employment growth from original level, employee level of volunteer participation in education, civic and charitable organizations and its employee enrichment programs.

Tyrone Rock Industries was the Small Industry Winner. The company has been in Fayette County for 20 years, and its current dollar investment is approximately $4.5 million. The original investment was $1.2 million.

There are 27 full-time employees, all of whom participate 100 percent in United Way.

The company also gives tours to Scouts and school children, goes to the schools to give presentations on the importance of minerals and mining, and is active with the Fayette County Chamber of Commerce, serving as Partners in Education Committee and the Transportation Committee.

Panasonic is the winner in the Large Industry category. The have been in Fayette County for 11 years, and its current dollar investment is $60 million with the original investment at $40 million.

The company employs 781 full-time employees who participate in such volunteer activities as Adopt-A-Mile clean-up efforts, March of Dimes Walk America, and the United Way.

The company provides free shots to its employees, free CPR and First Aid courses, and free on-site screening mammograms twice a year.

Among the projects in the community it supports is school and civic tours, three student scholarships for McIntosh High School each year in the areas of business, education and engineering, a donation of Japanese books and videos to the Peachtree City Library, a donation of a bulletproof vest each year to the Peachtree City Police Department and plays a major role in the International Festival, a free community program that brings together a world of cultures.

Companies were invited to submit an application along with supporting documentation including graphs, press releases and photographs.

The applications were judged by a committee consisting of State Sen. Rick Price; Chamber Chair Dot Kite; Chairman of the Peachtree City Development Authority Tom Farr; Fayette County Development Authority representative from Tyrone, John Woody; Executive Director of the Fayette County Development Authority John Boothby and Chamber President Elissa Hall.

"I believe that the hundred participants in today's banquet will attest to the success of this program of recognizing Fayette County's industries. Eight of the top industrial taxpayer's in this county pay nearly $3 million in taxes in addition to the charitable contributions to nearly 80 county organizations," said chamber chair Dot Kite.

The six corporations who were finalists are:

· Cooper Lighting, who has been in business in the county for 18 months, employs 430 people and has a current dollar investment of $22.5 million.

Its employees donated food, clothing and toys at Christmas for 42 needy county families. The company and employees have contributed approximately $68,000 cash and in-kind to local educational, civic and charitable organizations.

· TDK Electronics Corporation began in 1980 and has a current dollar investment of $118 million.

It employs 609 people who participate in the county's Adopt-A-Mile program and United Way.

The company participates in sending students and teachers to Japan for an all-expense paid trip. It also presents $1,000 scholarships to local high schools.

· Sealed Air, Incorporated began operation here in 1994 as Trigon.

It has a dollar investment of $12 million and employs 115 people who participate in United Way, as well as providing disadvantaged families gifts and food at Christmas.

· Avery Dennison has been in the county for 22 years and has a current dollar investment of $53 million. Its 217 employees supports numerous youth soccer, softball and baseball teams.

The company donates 60" and 78" wide rolls of paper to local schools, churches and booster clubs.

If your favorite team enters the field bursting through a big paper banner, it probably came from this company.

· Goody Products located its corporate headquarters here 3 1/2 years ago and employs 60 in Fayette County and 900 in their Manchester, Ga. plant. The company has provided cash donations totaling $67,000.

They have donated over $5,500 in products mostly in the now famous "Goody Bags" used in golf tournaments and fund raisers throughout Fayette County. Employees have donated over $38,000 to the United Way.

· Hella, Inc. has a current dollar investment of $9 million in the county and employs 60 people.

They have been here for seven years and donate funds to the Peachtree City Police Dept. Bulletproof Vest Drive each year as well as supply lighting to the police department at no charge.