By Billy Davis

More than 40 employers have signed up to participate in Thursday’s seventh annual Northwest Mississippi Job Fair in Batesville. With unemployment currently at 11.8 percent in Panola County, hundreds of job seekers from the area are expected at the free event at the Batesville Civic Center. Doors open at 9 a.m.

“Someone can walk in to the job fair and walk out with a job offer,” said Adam Todd, director of the Governor’s Job Fair Network.

Todd advised applicants to come prepared with a resume and to “look sharp” for an on-the-spot interview.

He also noted that the WIN Job Center in Batesville can help job seekers prepare a resume´ for the job fair.

Manufacturers and industries planning to participate include GE Aviation, Toyota, Winchester, ACI Building Systems, RR Donnelly, TG Missouri Corporation and Windsor Foods. For a complete list of participating employers, visit www.jobfairs.ms.gov