August 2, 2018

Dear Friend,

July marked the first anniversary of operations for SMW Manufacturing in Lafayette County. The company manufactures components that are used by a wide variety of industries including heavy truck, automotive, mining, and construction.

Rich DesCoteaux, General Manager and Vice President of Operations, said the decision to open a plant in Mississippi was a good one. "We offer competitive wages and people want to work for us," Rich said. "The team has shown they are capable of helping us with existing business and in our pursuit for new business."

Company officials have announced a $4 million expansion which will create 25 jobs. It is easy to see why SMW Manufacturing decided to more than double their workforce. Mississippians are hard workers which enable companies to take steps they might not have taken elsewhere. With help from their team, Rich said they expect revenue to quadruple over the next five years. Jeff Busby, Lafayette County Board of Supervisors President, said the company's expansion is what he hoped for. "SMW started small, but promised to grow over the next few years," Jeff said. "They are putting people in Lafayette County to work with great pay and benefits. We support them and their business growth."

I look forward to seeing more great achievements at SMW Manufacturing which will be good for the company and for Mississippi.

farming: a Mississippi tradition

Farming is a way of life for thousands of Mississippians. We are thankful for their hard work which remains steady during the good years and the lean ones. Eric Scott, a Baldwyn native, is a third generation farmer. Eric grows peanuts and soybeans on 550 acres. This has been a challenging growing season due to rain, but he is hopeful for a good crop this year. He is among those closely watching our progress on the 2018 Farm Bill.

Like many others, Eric is hopeful for more policies that will enable he and other farmers to gain a return on their investment.  "I want Brantley, my grandson, to become the fifth generation of this family to manage the farm," Eric said. "I think President Trump is making progress looking out for our best interests."

Through my role on the House Agriculture Committee, I will continue to advocate for legislation that will meet the needs of farmers now, and in the future.

honoring a world war ii Mississippi veteran

Carl Nance, Jr., entered World War II during his freshman year of college at the University of Mississippi in September 1941. Mr. Nance was a member of the 94th Infantry which was assigned to lead the advance of two armies after the Battle of the Bulge was contained. "It was the coldest winter in 50 years," Mr. Nance said. "I could tell you a lot of stories that would curl your whiskers." Mr. Nance was injured twice in combat which earned him the Purple Heart. At one time, Mr. Nance said there were more than 2,600 World War II veterans living in Tippah County. There are only five remaining, including Mr. Nance. "I'm so happy to be in that number," Mr. Nance said.

When Mr. Nance completed his military service, he finished college and went back to work at R.L. Nance & Company. Founded by Mr. Nance's grandfather, the hardware store has been in the family since 1902. These days, Mr. Nance still works full time. Soon, he will celebrate his 94th birthday. Mr. Nance is known for his quick wit and great stories. We are thankful for his service to our nation and for his many contributions to the citizens of Ripley and Tippah County.

a week in pictures

For more photos from a week in pictures, please visit my Facebook page.

Brad Robison with Tallahatchie Valley Electric
Power Association, Todd Gale with Columbus
Light and Water, and Kelvin Doddridge with
North Central Electric Power Association

Rotech Healthcare, Inc. Chief Executive Officer
Tim Pigg, Chief Operating Officer
Robin Menchen, and General
Counsel Steve Burres

General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems
(EMS) Group President Scott Forney

Trent Lott Leadership Institute students
Catherine Field from Oxford,
Sarah Ryann Fortner from Tupelo,
and Erin Lomenick from Potts Camp

University of Mississippi Chancellor Jeff Vitter
with our Washington, D.C. interns Margaret
Hay (West Point), Alexa Glissen (Ripley),
Nicole McDonnell (Norfolk, VA),
and Judson Bristow (West Point)

Uzbekistan Minister of Foreign Affairs
His Excellency Abdulaziz Kamilov,
Parliament Member and National
Human Rights Center Head
Mr. Akmal Saidov, and First Deputy
Chairman of the Senate of Uzbekistan
Senator Sodyq Safoyev

For more photos from a week in pictures, please visit my Facebook Page.

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 and Twitter.

Thanks for reading,

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