May 10, 2019
Dear Friend,
It is National Small Business Week and a great time to celebrate all the entrepreneurs we have in Mississippi. These men and women invest their time and energy in the effort to succeed - and they are. Recently, Amazon listed Mississippi as having the fastest-growing small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) that sell products in Amazon's stores! This recognition is well-deserved. To read about this exciting news, please click on the link.
As a member of the House Small Business Committee, my colleagues and I have pushed for regulatory reform and will continue to do so. The 115th Congress rolled back numerous regulations that were stifling businesses. Additionally, the Tax Cuts & Jobs Act has paved the way to lower tax rates and a fairer tax code, further enabling small businesses to grow and create more jobs. Because of this historic legislation, small businesses can increase employee benefits while making additional investments in their operations. As we reflect on the accomplishments that have been made on behalf of small businesses, I want to highlight the great work being done by business operators in the First District.
Moore's Jewelry - Iuka
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Kathie Norman, Bill & Judy Moore, Edwina Welch,
Philip & Paula Moore |
Bill and Judy Moore opened Moore's Jewelry in 1959. 53 years ago, the couple moved to the historic square in downtown Iuka. Bill and Judy raised their sons who both worked in the store while growing up. Their son, Philip, continues to work alongside his dad with his wife, Paula. "I have always loved what I do and still do," Bill said. "It has been a happy business because of our customers."
Synergy Home Furnishings, LLC - Ripley
Synergy Home Furnishings, LLC, started up operations 13 years ago in Ripley. The demand for upholstered furniture has enabled the company to increase their workforce. Currently, Synergy employs 26 U.S. employees and ten independent sales representatives. Bill Harding, Synergy Home Furnishings President, said their team in Ripley expertly coordinate order processing. "We treat our employees like gold and we are proud to have them," Harding said.
Farmhouse Market and Coffee - West Point
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| Barrett Edens and a happy customer |
Barrett Edens, owner of Farmhouse Market and Coffee, grew up in Okolona, where his family operates a cattle farm. In 2017, Barrett decided to open a butcher shop to offer cuts of meat that come directly from their farm. What began as a butcher and coffee shop has grown to include a restaurant, employing nine area residents. "Business has been good because more people want to eat locally-grown food," Barrett said. "Locating in the Golden Triangle was a great decision." Lisa Klutts, Director of Main Street and Tourism in West Point, said every small business is vital to the local economy. "They are the heartbeat," Lisa said. "Locally-owned businesses are the personality and culture of the community."
Bank of Holly Springs
The Bank of Holly Springs has been an institution in the town since it was granted authority to operate by the Mississippi Legislature in 1869. The locally-owned bank employs approximately 70 people at their two locations in Holly Springs and at branches in Marshall and Lafayette Counties. Steven M. Gresham, Bank of Holly Springs President and CEO, said their team remains committed to serving the needs of the community and always will. On June 7th, the Bank of Holly Springs will celebrate their 150th birthday!
Trace Industries - Houston
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Trace Industries partners Alex Rowland, Manager,
John Rowland, President, and Tony
Uhiren, Plant Manager |
In 1970, Lewis Rowland and Paul Uhiren became partners and started operations at Trace Industries in Houston. The company makes cotton batting that is used in the manufacturing of mattresses and furniture. Next year, Trace Industries will celebrate 50 years in business. Alex Rowland, Trace Industries Manager, said there has always been a demand for their product and they have been fortunate to have a great workforce to meet their production goals. Currently, they have 20 employees. "It seems like everybody is hiring and unemployment is low," Alex said. "If we needed to add additional people, it would be very competitive out there."
| in the news |
President Trump's pro-growth policies are working and the numbers are proof that our economy is surging. The Bureau of Labor and Statistics' April 2019 Jobs Report shows the unemployment rate is the lowest it has been in 49 years - 3.6%. In the month of April alone, 263,000 new jobs were added to the economy. To learn more, please click on the link.
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| committee work |
Last week, the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Military Personnel held a hearing titled, "Feres Doctrine - A Policy in Need of Reform." We listened to testimony from Service Members who looked to the military medical healthcare system for treatment and were failed by the system. Military healthcare is in serious need of reform and our men and women in military deserve nothing but the best. It is important to explore ways to reform the system in the most efficient manner.
Unfortunately, the Feres Doctrine does not fall under the jurisdiction of the Armed Services Committee. Moving forward, It is my hope their concerns will be addressed by the Judiciary Committee, while we hold hearings that specifically focus on improving military healthcare. To watch an excerpt from the hearing, please click on the link.
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| award for conservative achievement |
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ACU Chairman Matt Schlapp and Executive
Director Dan Schneider |
It was an honor to receive the American Conservative Union Award for Conservative Excellence. The award recognized my commitment to America's foundational principles, the U.S. Constitution, and in recognition of an American Conservative Union Congressional rating of 80-89%. The ratings are based on my commitment to conservative principles as reflected by my voting record in the 115th Congress.
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| military academy appointment |
I am pleased to announce the appointment of Sara Sheward, a Mississippi School for Math and Science Senior, to the United States Military Academy at West Point. Sara, the daughter of Joe and Jasmin Sheward of Columbus, is a standout student who has achieved high honors in the classroom and well beyond. She is known for her musical talent (classical piano), athletics (Heritage Academy Tennis Team, Women's Soccer Team, and current MSMS Swim Team Captain), and numerous club memberships (National Honor Society, National Beta Club, Asian Student Alliance, Students Against Destructive Decisions, Lab Assistant Club, Interfaith Dialogue, and the Suzuki Strings Orchestra).
Sara has participated in the Boys & Girls Club, the Baptist Teen Volunteer Program, and the United States Military Academy Summer Leadership Experience - just to name a few. She is dedicated to volunteer work which includes performing piano at nursing homes throughout Mississippi and Arkansas. Sara will follow in the footsteps of other members of her family who have served in the military, including her father who served in the U.S. Army. "When I found out that I was appointed to the U.S.Military Academy at West Point, it was a dream come true," Sara said. "Both sides of my family have a history of service. For me, it will be carrying on that line of service and making it my own."
For more information about Service Academy nominations, please click on the link. You can also contact Robert Smith, our military academy liaison, at (662) 687-1540 or send him an e-mail at Robert.smith@mail.house.gov.
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| booneville middle school d.a.r.e. graduation - a day to remember |
Recently, our team presented certificates of recognition from our office to Booneville Middle School 5th grade students who are graduates of the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program. These students completed the 10-week curriculum which provides them the tools they need to resist drugs, alcohol, tobacco, and peer pressure. We are thankful for these young people who are the future of Mississippi.
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| visiting washington, d.c. |
A visit to our nation's capital is an opportunity to experience America's unique and colorful history. You can read about the monuments (and you should), but seeing them in person promises memories that will last a lifetime. Our team is eager and ready to help you plan a trip.
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Heritage Academy visitors: Lila Berry, Caitlin
Berry, Wesley Caroline Shelton, Deb Shelton,
Dorsey Burris, Nichole Rutherford, Dawn
Mitchell, Katie Frost, Sally Frost, Mason
Hayes, Oz Gilman, Izzy Gilman, and Gina Gilman |
We offer guided tours of the U.S. Capitol and, when given enough time, we may be able to get you tickets to the White House! For more information, please click HERE. Give our team a call at (202) 225-4306 or e-mail Alex.Enlow@mail.house.gov. Our door is always open and we look forward to seeing each and every one of you. To schedule a meeting or involvement in an event, please click HERE.
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| a week in pictures |
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Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG)
Ambassador H.E. Bayan Sami Abdul Rahman |
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Mississippi Bankers Association Representatives
Robert Barnes, Johnny Barrett, CEO First
National Bank of Oxford, Alan Walters,
CEO First Commercial Bank, John Shappley,
President & COO First Bank, and Gordon Fellows,
Senior VP of Government Relations |
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| Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi (ECM) |
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| Mark, Emily, and Grey McCauley (Oxford) |
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Dallas Allgood with National Pawnbrokers
Association (Oxford) |
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LCI Industries President Jeffrey Hawtink, Laurie
Phillips, LaRue Peters, and Dewayne Phillips |
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Brian L. Rutledge, PHD, MHSA, University of
Mississippi Medical Center Chief of Staff,
Office of the Vice Chancellor, Kristy Simms,
Government Relations, and Vice Chancellor
for Public Health Affairs and Dean of the
School of Medicine |
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Oxford Chief Operating Officer Bart
Robinson and Mayor Robyn Tannehill |
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American Society of Landscape Architects
representatives James Alan Jackson,
and Matthew R. Coop |
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Van Wallace, Sharon Wallace, Tina Wood,
and Frankie Wallace (Tupelo) |
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Christopher, Stephanie, Grayson, Caitlyn,
Campbell, and George Sykes (Nesbit) |
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General Aviation Manufacturers Association
(GAMA) representatives Jeff Trang, Airbus
Helicopters Inc., Vice President, Technology
and Flight Operations, Steve Knight, PPG
Industries, Dir. of General Aviation
Transparencies, and Rhett Ross,Continental
Aerospace Technologies, President
and CEO |
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American Council of Engineering Companies
Mississippi engineers Wayne Morrison,
Craig Carter, Allen Scott, Ed Dedeaux,
and David Bowman |
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Lieutenant General Michael Rocco, Deputy
Commandant for Manpower and
Reserve Affairs, USMC |
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Mississippi Commissioner of Insurance Mike
Chaney and Deputy Commissioner of
Insurance Mark Haire |
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Celebrating National Working Mothers Day with
Christy Reid, Jessica Salter,
and Christina Laycock |
For more photos from a week in pictures, please visit my Facebook page.
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STAY IN TOUCH
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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.
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Thanks for reading,
Rep. Trent Kelly (MS-01)
Member of Congress
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