In accordance with Republican Conference rules and adherence to all transparency and accountability criteria, below is a list of Community Project Funding requests from the Office of Congressman Trent Kelly to be considered in the Fiscal Year 2024 Appropriations Legislation. Certification forms are included below, and the requirements for certification by Members can be found here.
Project Name: Houston, MS - Chickasaw County Justice Center
Requested Amount: $1,400,000
Intended Recipient: Chickasaw County Board of Supervisors
Recipient Address: 1 Pinson Place, Houston MS 38851
Request Explanation: The Houston Courthouse was built around 1909 for the First Judicial District of Chickasaw County, Mississippi. Located in the Courthouse are the offices of the Tax Collector, Chancery Clerk, Circuit Clerk, Justice Court and Youth Court. The Courthouse also has the Board of Supervisors board room, law library and records and documents for the County. There are two courtrooms serving Chancery, Circuit, Youth, Justice and County Courts. Chickasaw County is requesting funding to make repair to the courthouse.
Additional Documents
Financial Disclosure Certification
Project Name: Desoto County, MS - DeSoto County Emergency Operations Center
Requested Amount: $3,000,000
Intended Recipient: Desoto County, Mississippi
Recipient Address:1059 Starlanding RD West, Nesbit, MS 38651
Request Explanation: Desoto County is proposing to build a new state of the art Emergency Operations Center (EOC) that meets all FEMA safety rated standards and EOC standards. The EOC will also be large enough to accommodate policy makers, a communications room, a large EOC operations main floor and supportive break-out areas. A preliminary facility assessment was completed over several ad hoc committee meeting in January 2023 with Fire Code Officials, Supervisors, Planning & Permit Officials, Environmental Services, and the Road Department to determine all code requirements, consider environmental impact, and zoning. At this time there are no known environmental impact concerns. A more thorough environmental assessment will be completed. No construction will occur in flood zones or flood prone areas, nor will construction impact any waterways. Desoto County will build and maintain all roads according to code. All construction will meet or exceed the 2018 International Fire Code, 2018 International Building Code, FEMA 361, ICC 500 standards. To ensure all zoning, design, construction, and environmental standards are met Desoto County will retain a certified and experienced engineer familiar with designing and engineering to these standards.
Additional Documents
Financial Disclosure Certification
Project Name: Apron Rehabilitation. Olive Branch Airport (OLV), 8000 Terminal Drive, Olive Branch, MS 38654
Requested Amount: $4,989,960
Intended Recipient: City of Olive Branch
Recipient Address: 9200 Pigeon Roost Road, Olive Branch, MS 38654
Request Explanation: The airport’s main aprons have degraded and are unraveling creating foreign object debris (FOD). The pavement condition index (PCI) rating which determines the general condition of pavement was evaluated to be between 32 -46. (See attached) The ratings fall within the “very poor” to “poor” category which determines the pavement is past a preventative maintenance measure and requires a major rehabilitation to address the deficiencies. The requested project is a mill of approximately 2 inches of asphalt, sealing of underlying cracks, and replacement of approximately 2 inches of new asphalt. The total project is estimated at $5,544,400 for rehabilitation of the entire main apron to bring it back to condition that will provide a safe environment for all users.
Additional Documents
Financial Disclosure Certification
Project Name: Pontotoc, MS - Enhancing Sweet Potato Value through Post Harvest Technology
Requested Amount: $1,500,000
Intended Recipient: Mississippi State University
Recipient Address: P.O. Box 9800, Mississippi State, MS 39762
Request Explanation: Sweet potato production is a thriving specialty crop industry in Mississippi, and the state is ranked as number two for national production. Harvesting, storing, curing, and processing sweet potatoes is a highly manual, subjective process and in need of technology advancements that will offer new evaluation methods to streamline processes and improve product consistency. Currently, external quality of sweet potatoes is manually evaluated (grading and sorting), which is labor intensive, costly, and subject to human error, while internal quality factors influencing consumer acceptance, such as texture, flavor, and hidden defects, are not evaluated. Incorporation of non-destructive, automated detection technologies will allow the sweet potato industry to more consistently evaluate external and internal quality factors to deliver superior products to the marketplace, enhancing consumer satisfaction and commodity profitability. There is currently a missing link that can vastly improve the economic value by creating value-added opportunities for producers. The North Mississippi Research and Extension Center (NMREC) located in Pontotoc, MS will fill this missing element by developing a storage and processing facility that will advance processing operations and post-harvest product quality for producers. The NMREC processing facility will allow researchers to engage in public-private partnerships with producers through post-harvest research that is not currently feasible.
Additional Documents
Financial Disclosure Certification
Project Name: Lee County, MS - In-Car Video/Automated License Plate Reader Modernization
Requested Amount: $410, 220
Intended Recipient: Lee County Sheriff's Department
Recipient Address: 510 Commerce Street, Tupelo, MS 38804
Request Explanation: This project will facilitate the replacement of aging and obsolete in-car video systems currently being utilized by the Lee County Sheriff's Department. The new systems will include an automated license plate reader and real time information capability not available with their current system.
Additional Documents
Financial Disclosure Certification
Project Name: Itawamba County, MS - Itawamba County Sheriff’s Department - Police Equipment
Requested Amount: $140,000
Intended Recipient: Itawamba Sheriff Department
Recipient Address: 102 Staub St, Fulton, MS 38843
Request Explanation: This proposal is for support and equipment for the Itawamba County Mississippi Sheriff Department to develop and enhance the ability to carry out criminal investigative responsibilities, search and rescue, critical incident response, records management and other critical operations commonly engaged in by the department. The overall objectives of this proposed project are to enhance and develop the abilities of the Itawamba County Mississippi Sheriff Department to quickly, efficiently and professionally serve the citizens and public in the area of jurisdiction. Rugged Remote Area Lighting System 2 Drysafe 1 Generator Companion 1 Camera 4 Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery 4 1300 Protector Case (Camera) 4 Equipment - Computer/Technology (Records Management System 1 Touch Screen All-In-One Desktop 17 Touch Screen Laptop 8 Keyboard 8 External USB Double Layer DVD RW/CD-RW Drive 8 Computer Dock 2 8 USB 3.0 Memory Card Reader 8 Computer Case 8.
Additional Documents
Financial Disclosure Certification
Project Name: Itawamba County, MS - Itawamba County Sheriff’s Department - Police Cars
Requested Amount: $200,000
Intended Recipient: Itawamba Sheriff Department
Recipient Address: 102 Staub St, Fulton, MS 38843
Request Explanation: This proposal is for support and equipment for the Itawamba County Mississippi Sheriff Department to develop and enhance the ability to carry out criminal investigative responsibilities, search and rescue, critical incident response, records management and other critical operations commonly engaged in by the department. The overall objectives of this proposed project are to enhance and develop the abilities of the Itawamba County Mississippi Sheriff Department to quickly, efficiently and professionally serve the citizens and public in the area of jurisdiction. Trucks (2) Cargo Van 1-Ton (2) 2022 Polaris Ranger Ranger 1000 EPS W/Top, Windshield & Winch (1) 6' 1/2 X 14FT Trailer With Gate (1).
Additional Documents
Financial Disclosure Certification
Project Name: Union County Sheriff’s Office Technology Modernization
Requested Amount: $600,000
Intended Recipient: Union County Sheriff’s Office
Recipient Address: 300 Carter Avenue, New Albany, MS 38652
Request Explanation: This project will ensure the Union County Sheriff’s Office is equipped to better serve and protect the citizens of Union County, Mississippi by providing a fully integrated modern camera system to each deputy and patrol vehicle by utilizing an up-to-date body worn and in-car system. This type of camera system is critical in today’s society for evidence collection, retention, and overall accountability of law enforcement officers.
Additional Documents
Financial Disclosure Certification
Project Name: Desoto County, MS - Rapid DNA System
Requested Amount: $473,730
Intended Recipient: DeSoto County Sheriff’s Department
Recipient Address: 3091 Industrial Drive West, Hernando, MS 38632
Request Explanation: The DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office would like to purchase a Rapid DNA System and will invite local law enforcement jurisdictions to participate. This will allow better access to process DNA for agencies in our region as opposed to using the crime lab which has a lengthy backlog for most cases and, at times, will not accept a property crime case for processing. This technology has been developed and approved under FBI guidance to process DNA within 90 minutes. Law enforcement agencies across the country have started using Rapid DNA to make quick and accurate identifications that will drastically improve public safety and save time and resources, catch more criminals and exonerate those wrongly-accused. The Bensalem Township PD has seen a 42% reduction in property crimes which is attributed to its Rapid DNA system. Rapid DNA has been used by law enforcement to identify the remains of disaster victims in California (wildfires), Tennessee (flooding), Kentucky (tornado) and Florida (Surfside Condo collapse). Having a Rapid DNA instrument on-hand will ensure we can quickly provide answers to the community when the next disaster hits. The Department of Justice has a long history of supporting forensics programs, including DNA, at the state and local levels to identify suspects, exonerate the innocent and protect public safety. Furthermore, this project will follow the guidelines provided in the Department of Justice (FBI) published “Non-CODIS Rapid DNA Considerations and Best Practices for Law Enforcement Use.
Additional Documents
Financial Disclosure Certification
Project Name: Aberdeen, MS: Port of Aberdeen, MS Dredging
Requested Amount: $750,000
Intended Recipient: City of Aberdeen
Recipient Address: 125 W. Commerce Street, Aberdeen, MS 39730
Request Explanation: Dredging of approximately 60,000 cubic yards of material from around both docks of the Port of Aberdeen. Since the major flood of 2020, one of the docks is completely inaccessible due to low water levels caused by sediment deposits. The other dock currently maintains operation but can only service shallow draft vessels. Both docks are in need of major dredging to reestablish safe and reliable access
Additional Documents
Financial Disclosure Certification
Project Name: Coldwater, MS - Town of Coldwater Technology Enhancement
Requested Amount: $103,500
Intended Recipient: Town of Coldwater
Recipient Address: 444 Court Street, Coldwater, MS 38618
Request Explanation: The proposed project is to move the Town of Coldwater Police Department from the current outdated technology (pen and paper) in their mobile cruisers to ADSi software and electronic devices (Dell Laptops). These devices (radios, laptops, license dipper, ticket printers, etc.) along with required software will assist in completing citations, crime reporting and court case management. The ADSi software provides electronic record management which collects data for inputting into National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS).
Additional Documents
Financial Disclosure Certification
Project Name: Monroe County, MS - Monroe County Sheriff’s Office: Enhanced Technology for Mobile Special Operations and Criminal Investigations
Requested Amount: $420,000
Intended Recipient: Monroe County Sheriff’s Office
Recipient Address: 700 North Meridian St, Aberdeen, MS 39730
Request Explanation: The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office presently does not have the equipment, technology or resources necessary to keep up with today’s criminal technological advances. The biggest positive impact the Mobile LPR Investigative Units would provide for our deputies would be the ability to proactively and automatically check hundreds of vehicles while conducting their normal patrol duties, as well as assist investigations with real time information concerning potential suspect vehicles in and around a particular crime scene.
Additional Documents
Financial Disclosure Certification
Project Name: Oxford, MS - NETORKING, VOIP, AND AV UPGRADE FOR NEW OXFORD POLICE STATION
Requested Amount: $500,000
Intended Recipient: City of Oxford
Recipient Address: 107 Courthouse Square, MS 38655
Request Explanation: The project is to procure voice of IP (VOIP), audio-visual equipment for the community room/ briefing rooms/offices, and secure network servers for all OPD storage (investigation, records, etc.). The funding request will bring the current technology infrastructure of the Oxford Police Department in line with new state-of-the-art building that will be constructed later in 2023. Networking Systems Voice over IP (VOIP) Audio Visual Systems.
Additional Documents
Financial Disclosure Certification
Project Name: Tupelo, MS - Tupelo Police Department Technology Modernization
Requested Amount: $510,180
Intended Recipient: Tupelo Police Department
Recipient Address: 400 North Front Street, Tupelo, MS 38804
Request Explanation: The City of Tupelo is a regional hub for retail, entertainment, and sporting events. That, combined with a national increase in gun violence and other crimes, has led the City of Tupelo and the Tupelo Police Department to begin establishing a Real Time Intelligence Center (RTIC). The RTIC will utilize new license plate readers, hundreds of existing cameras, new cameras, and new officer body/car cameras. The data from those technologies will be brought together with new software to be viewed live in one place. 20 Overt Quad Cameras $110,230.40 Mobile Surveillance Trailer $55,000 Insight License Plate Readers $254,950 DJI Matrice 300 Drone $35,000 FUSUS Cores $55,000.
Additional Documents
Financial Disclosure Certification
