February 24, 2017

Dear Friend,

Many of us grew up in rural communities, and we have watched over the years as they have grown to include new businesses and industries. With them came jobs and new opportunities. While we celebrate our state moving forward, it is also important for us to preserve our history which tells the story of Mississippi.

restoring old town nesbit

Lee Caldwell and her husband, retired U.S. Marine Corps Reserves Col. John Caldwell are not native Mississippians, but thirty years ago they found their way to DeSoto County when they were looking for a place to raise their children.

They enjoy talking about Mississippi's rich history - especially the story of Old Town Nesbit. What was once the place to gin a farmer's cotton and a main thoroughfare to haul that cotton to Tennessee became a road less traveled when the railroad came to town in 1856. Over time, DeSoto County has grown in both population and development while Old Town Nesbit has been in a steady decline. Three years ago, the Caldwells bought several buildings they hope to restore, including a 1930s bank building and the old general store.

"The most exciting thing is preserving history," Lee said. "We want to blend the past, present and future together."

I am proud to see Lee and John working hard to bring new businesses to DeSoto County and at the same time, protecting our history.

revitalization of baldwyn

Baldwyn is another great example of more and more people investing in their downtown.

In the 1990s, an effort began to restore downtown Baldwyn. We have seen residents step up and invest in buildings which could have been lost to time. Most of the buildings have been restored, including the old U.S. Post Office, Kirk Hardware, and the old drug store. It is good to see that there are plans to restore the remaining buildings. Their work has already attracted new businesses which strengthens the tax base.

flag requests

It is always a proud moment to see our American flag waving over the U.S. Capitol. It has been a symbol of our nation's strength for more than 200 years. It is an honor to grant a constituent's request to have a flag flown over the Capitol. This week, we presented a flag to Linda Kennedy from Prentiss County in honor of her late husband, Claude, who served in the U.S. Navy during WWII.

STAY IN TOUCH

Let me know if there is anything my office can do to assist you. You can keep up with the latest news by signing up for my newsletter and following me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Thanks for reading,

Rep. Trent Kelly (MS-01)
Member of Congress