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 2025 Appropriations Legislation. Certification forms are included below, and the requirements for certification by Members can be found here.
Project Name: Tishomingo County, MS - Sheriff's Office Transportation & Technology Enhancement
Requested Amount: $2,000,000
Intended Recipient: Tishomingo County Sheriff's Office
Recipient Address:1208 Bettydale Drive, Iuka, MS 38852
Request Explanation: This project would be a valuable use of taxpayer funds because firstly, it prioritizes the safety of our law enforcement officers, ensuring they have reliable transportation and modern equipment to effectively serve and protect our community. Secondly, it improves operational efficiency by reducing maintenance costs associated with outdated vehicles, ultimately saving taxpayer dollars in the long run. Lastly, it enhances public trust and confidence in law enforcement through increased transparency and accountability provided by modern dash cameras and vehicle computer systems. Overall, this investment directly benefits both officers and taxpayers alike, making it a prudent allocation of funds.
Additional Documents
Financial Disclosure Certification
Project Name: Prentiss County, MS- Sheriff’s Department Equipment Upgrade Project
Requested Amount: $2,000,000
Intended Recipient: Prentiss County Sheriff’s Department
Recipient Address: 1901 E. Chambers Drive, Booneville, MS 38829
Request Explanation: This project would be a valuable use of taxpayer funds because by replacing outdated duty weapons and equipping each officer with a duty rifle, the project enhances law enforcement's ability to respond effectively to potential threats, particularly during active shooter situations, thereby ensuring citizen safety. Moreover, the procurement of new patrol vehicles minimizes maintenance costs associated with older models, ultimately saving taxpayer dollars in the long run. The introduction of an automated fingerprinting machine expedites the identification process, aiding in the swift apprehension of fugitives and enhancing public security. Additionally, upgrading computer systems reduces the risk of security breaches, safeguarding sensitive information and promoting operational efficiency. Overall, this initiative signifies a responsible and strategic investment in the community's safety and well-being, demonstrating a commitment to efficient resource utilization and effective law enforcement practices.
Additional Documents
Financial Disclosure Certification
Project Name: Tupelo, MS - Tupelo Police Department Technology Modernization
Requested Amount: $2,000,000
Intended Recipient: Tupelo Police Department
Recipient Address: 400 North Front Street, Tupelo, MS 38804
Request Explanation: This project would be a valuable use of taxpayer funds because by establishing a Real Time Intelligence Center (RTIC) in Tupelo constitutes a prudent and valuable use of taxpayer funds. By integrating advanced technologies such as license plate readers, extensive camera networks, and officer body/car cameras, the RTIC empowers law enforcement to monitor and respond to potential threats in real time. This proactive approach to public safety not only enhances the security of residents and visitors but also modernizes law enforcement practices to effectively address evolving security challenges. Furthermore, the collaborative effort between the City of Tupelo, the Tupelo Police Department, and the Tupelo Public School District reflects a community-wide commitment to enhancing safety and well-being. By extending security measures to schools and public spaces, the initiative fosters a collaborative approach to crime prevention. Moreover, the deployment of advanced surveillance technologies ensures accountability and transparency in law enforcement operations, instilling confidence among taxpayers that their funds are being used responsibly to uphold public safety and the rule of law.
Additional Documents
Financial Disclosure Certification
Project Name: Choctaw County- Fire Station/ EMS Building Construction
Requested Amount: $6,000,000
Intended Recipient: Choctaw County, MS - Board of Supervisors
Recipient Address: P. O. Box 250 - 22 East Quinn Street, Ackerman, MS 39735
Request Explanation: Choctaw County needs a combined fire station/EMS services building to serve the specialized needs of numerous critical regional electric power plants and associated facilities. In addition, locating the new Fire Station EMS building at the County’s Ecoplex would provide a centrally located building to allow the County to transition from numerous volunteer fire departments to a fulltime fire department. Furthermore, the building would be designed and built to standards to serve as a Community Safe Room for private employees at the Ecoplex and nearby residents during severe weather events. This Fire Station/EMS Building would substantially lower homeowners’ insurance rates.
Additional Documents
Financial Disclosure Certification
Project Name: Lee County, MS - In-Car Video/Automated License Plate Reader Modernization
Requested Amount: $2,000,000
Intended Recipient: Lee County Sheriff's Department
Recipient Address: 510 Commerce Street, Tupelo, MS 38804
Request Explanation: This would be a good use of taxpayer funding due to the public safety nexus. The requested funding would be used to purchase a modern technology in-car video/audio camera system. This system would include wireless download capability through a LTE network so our officers can download video from anywhere. This will allow the officers to remain in the field to be a proactive deterrent to crime and be able to respond to calls for service in a timely manner. The system will be able to transmit real time video so department supervisors can see what is happening in the field without being there in person This will be good for officer safety and accountability. The system will have an integrated automatic license plate reader. Because of the LTE network connection, this license plate reader will receive real time updates from the National Crime Information Center for things like stolen vehicles, missing persons and wanted persons. Officers will also be able to immediately upload information on things like stolen vehicles or vehicles associated with a missing person. The quicker information is shared with other agencies the more successful we are in solving crimes and saving victims. All these capabilities will be tied together with an evidence program that will allow us to manage the information captured by the system. This project will allow us to increase our operational efficiency and transparency as we serve and protect the citizens of our community.
Additional Documents
Financial Disclosure Certification
Project Name: Town of Mathiston- Water System Improvements
Requested Amount: $8,000,000
Intended Recipient: Town of Mathiston- Water System Improvements
Recipient Address:41 Mathis Drive, Mathiston, MS, 39752
Request Explanation: The Town of Mathiston is in need of two new wells, a new 100,000-gallon elevated storage water tank, asbestos cement pipe replacement, and a water meter replacement with AMR meters. The Town went from having two water wells to only one and has no alternate water supply or source. The Town would be without water if the one remaining well failed. The Town is in critical need of at least two wells and an additional new well to keep up with the demand for a growing area. A new elevated tank would provide additional storage and would help improve the hydraulics in the area and provide alternate storage in the event the existing tank is out of service. 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: Oxford, MS - Oxford Regional Water Resources Program
Requested Amount: $3,000,000
Intended Recipient: City of Oxford, Mississippi
Recipient Address: 107 Courthouse Square, Oxford, MS 38655
Request Explanation: The Oxford Regional Water Resources Program is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it directly addresses critical water resource needs in the Lafayette-Oxford-University community. The City of Oxford has identified numerous needs in the Lafayette-Oxford-University (LOU) community based on current and projected demands for water resources improvements including water wells, water storage tanks, water transmission and distribution pipelines in order to protect the water quality through comprehensive watershed management. Aging infrastructure in the City System has resulted in repetitive failures, a lack of capacity, and a decline in water quality. The improvements are necessary to allow the Oxford to provide a reliable water supply, maintain healthy water quality, and increase health and safety of residents. Further, this project is appropriate for Federal funding due to its critical nature in ensuring critical access to sufficient and clean freshwater for its residents. In order to meet federal requirements for drinking water, federal support is needed health and safety of residents. Adequate infrastructure is vital to any community’s livability, potential for growth and economic competitiveness.
Additional Documents
Financial Disclosure Certification
Project Name: Pontotoc, MS - City of Pontotoc City Hall
Requested Amount: $8,000,000
Intended Recipient: City of Pontotoc
Recipient Address:116 North Main Street, Pontotoc, MS 38863
Request Explanation: This project would be a valuable use of taxpayer funds because Pontotoc's burgeoning community necessitates a modern city hall. The current eighty-year-old gas station-turned-facility struggles with outdated infrastructure, hindering tech integration and risking security. With Pontotoc's growth, a new hall is vital to streamline operations, improve services, and enhance collaboration. Moreover, investing in a new hub signifies Pontotoc's dedication to advancement. This new space will boast a boardroom, offices, and a drive-through, facilitating essential city operations. By prioritizing functionality and accessibility, Pontotoc ensures it can effectively serve its residents, both now and in the future.
Additional Documents
Financial Disclosure Certification
Project Name: Hernando - Fire Station 4 - New Construction Project
Requested Amount: $10,500,000
Intended Recipient: City of Hernando
Recipient Address: 475 West Commerce Street, Hernando, MS, 38632
Request Explanation: This is a good use of taxpayer funds due to the area's rapid growth and need for emergency services. This expansion necessitates enhanced emergency services to safeguard lives and property effectively. By complying with state regulations and strategically locating the station, response times can be improved, bolstering overall community safety. Additionally, collaborative efforts with the City of Hernando and community partners demonstrate responsible fiscal management, ensuring efficient use of funds. Ultimately, this investment not only addresses immediate needs but also contributes to long-term resilience and security, making it a valuable allocation of taxpayer resources.
Additional Documents
Financial Disclosure Certification
Project Name: University of Mississippi - Improving Safety Through Enhanced Technology & Equipment
Requested Amount: $2,000,000
Intended Recipient: University of Mississippi
Recipient Address: 129 Lyceum, University, MS 38677
Request Explanation: This would be a good use of taxpayer funding due to the public safety nexus. Investing taxpayer funds into modernizing the University of Mississippi Police Department's technology and equipment infrastructure is a wise allocation. This initiative addresses critical safety gaps on campus, enhancing protection for students, faculty, and property. By upgrading outdated equipment like body and car cameras and implementing advanced access control systems, the project fortifies the department's ability to deter and investigate criminal activity effectively. Furthermore, safeguarding higher education institutions aligns with national interests, fostering technological advancements and academic excellence. The project's clear objectives and expected outcomes, including increased officer efficiency and accountability, ensure a tangible return on investment for taxpayers.
Additional Documents
Financial Disclosure Certification
Project Name: Alcorn County - Sheriff's Department: Project Technological Leap Program
Requested Amount: $2,000,000
Intended Recipient: Alcorn County Sheriff's Office
Recipient Address: 2833 South Harper Road, Corinth, MS 38834
Request Explanation: This would be a good use of taxpayer funding due to the public safety nexus. Investing in "Project Technological Leap" is a prudent allocation of taxpayer funds, enhancing the Alcorn County Sheriff's Office's capability to respond efficiently and effectively to emergencies. The project upgrades essential equipment, including vehicles and technology, leading to improved public safety through faster response times and increased transparency in law enforcement operations. This initiative not only boosts community trust but also promises long-term cost savings by reducing maintenance expenses and adapting to modern challenges. Ultimately, the project represents an investment in the safety, efficiency, and future readiness of law enforcement in Alcorn County, ensuring the community remains a safe place to live and work.
Additional Documents
Financial Disclosure Certification
Project Name: West Point, MS - West Point Crime Prevention Initiative
Requested Amount: $2,000,000
Intended Recipient: City of West Point, MS
Recipient Address: 580 Commerce Street, West Point, MS 39773
Request Explanation: This would be a good use of taxpayer funds because The West Point Crime Prevention Initiative allocates taxpayer funds toward enhancing public safety through technology upgrades. Aimed at fostering community trust and deterring crime, the initiative implements town-wide camera systems, school surveillance, and metal detectors. By proactively addressing crime rates and officer safety, it ensures a safer environment and strengthens the bond between law enforcement and residents. This strategic investment reflects a commitment to the well-being and security of the City of West Point, promoting a thriving and secure community.
Additional Documents
Financial Disclosure Certification
Project Name: Mississippi State University- Enhancing Sweet Potato Value through Post Harvest Technology
Requested Amount: $3,000,000
Intended Recipient: Mississippi State University
Recipient Address: P.O. Box 9800, Mississippi State, MS 39762
Project Location: 8320 Hwy 15 S, Pontotoc, MS 38863
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: Chickasaw Nation- Chickasaw Heritage Center
Requested Amount: $16,000,000
Intended Recipient: Chickasaw Nation
Recipient Address: 520 E. Arlington, Ada, OK 74820
Project Location: 1931 Gun Club Road, Tupelo, MS 38801
Request Explanation: This is a good use of taxpayer funds because investing in the Chickasaw Heritage Center ensures the teaching of the Chickasaw Nation while boosting the local economy and tourism. The Chickasaw Nation will be the recipient, and the funds will go to building the Chickasaw Heritage Center. State, local, and tribal governments have also committed funding to a local foundation which will assist in the building and then administration of the Chickasaw Heritage Center once completed.
Additional Documents
Financial Disclosure Certification
