August 3, 2026 Dear Friend,
It was an honor to recognize ND Defense as the company celebrated the completion of its first maritime assembly. This new mission supports Ingalls Shipbuilding, the nation's largest builder of ships for the U.S. Navy, and marks an important milestone for both the company and Mississippi.
ND Defense is expanding its role from helping protect our warfighters on land to supporting our Navy at sea—all from its facility in West Point. As we work to strengthen America's naval fleet, partnerships like this are essential to rebuilding our nation's industrial base and meeting the Navy's growing needs.
This achievement represents more than the completion of a single component. It demonstrates how American manufacturers can apply their expertise to strengthen our shipbuilding capacity and reinforce our national defense. Maintaining that strength requires the talent and innovation of communities across the country, including rural America.
As Chairman of the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee, I know that strengthening America's naval fleet is more important than ever as we confront growing threats from our adversaries. The work being done here at ND Defense is helping ensure our Navy remains ready to meet those challenges. I am proud that ND Defense is advancing this mission and strengthening our national security right here in West Point. |
I was proud to join Golden Triangle Regional Airport to celebrate another milestone for Mississippi and the First District. GTR recently completed a project adding 8,200 square feet of terminal space and the airport's first jet bridge to better serve travelers.
Projects like this are proof that Mississippi continues to grow. We are attracting new businesses, creating jobs, strengthening our infrastructure, and creating new opportunities across our state.
A strong airport is a key part of a strong economy. It connects our communities, supports economic growth, and helps make our region more competitive. This expansion ensures the airport is better equipped to meet the demands of tomorrow.
The Golden Triangle is an economic engine for our state, and projects like this strengthen the industries, businesses, and communities that call this region home. This is about more than a new terminal; it is about strengthening Mississippi's economy, creating new opportunities for future growth, and showing that the Golden Triangle is open for business. |
Military service is an honor and privilege. Vietnam Veteran Barry Brumfield knows this all too well.
Barry dreamed of becoming a U.S. Marine beginning in high school. "My mom wanted me to go to college," Barry said. "I wanted to join the U.S. Marine Corps. Through the U.S. Marine Corps Delayed Entry Program (DEP), I was able to join in 1965."
Barry arrived in Vietnam on December 3, 1967. During his 13 months in country, Barry wore many hats. "I worked in convoy security, conducted sweeps in the bush, and was in the DMZ three times." Barry and his fellow service members had numerous close calls with danger while on convoy security duty. "The good Lord wore his guardian angels out over there," Barry said.
Barry returned home in December 1968. He had served a total of four years in the Marine Corps. "I'm proud of my service in the Marine Corps," Barry said. In 2010, Barry retired from his job as a truck driver. These days, Barry visits the Booneville VFW for monthly meetings. He and his wife, Joyce, live in Booneville.
We are grateful for Barry's service and appreciate his devotion to God, country, and family. |
The entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well in Mississippi's First District. From farmers markets to town squares, locally grown produce is bringing communities together and connecting consumers with the people who grow their food. Buddy and Lois Street are among the many farmers sharing their fresh-picked vegetables with eager customers.
Corinth natives Buddy and Lois have spent their lives farming. In addition to growing corn and soybeans, they raise goats and chickens and dedicate 10 acres of their farm to vegetables. Eight years ago, they began selling their produce at local farmers markets.
Today, more people than ever want to know where their food comes from, and farmers markets continue to grow in popularity. "We enjoy it," Lois said. "We like meeting the public and making new friends. We love to hear their stories."
We are grateful for Buddy and Lois and for all the farmers who work tirelessly to provide fresh, locally grown food for our communities. As a member of the House Agriculture Committee, it is an honor to advocate for Mississippi's farmers and to share stories like theirs with you. |
We are proud to introduce our Tupelo intern, Emerson Mansfield, to Team Kelly this summer. Emerson is a native of Saltillo and recently graduated from the University of North Alabama with degrees in Finance and Accounting. He hopes to build a career in the professional sports industry by applying his background in finance and accounting.
During his internship, Emerson looks forward to gaining a deeper understanding of the role government plays in finance and learning more about the legislative process. We are excited to have him as part of our team and look forward to the contributions he will make this summer.
Each semester and summer, my office offers internship opportunities for college students interested in gaining firsthand experience in public service and the legislative process. Interns work alongside our staff, assisting with legislative research, administrative responsibilities, constituent services, and professional development opportunities while learning how Congress operates.
District office interns gain valuable hands-on experience by meeting with constituents, participating in community events, and working alongside our district staff to serve the people of the First Congressional District.
If you are interested in applying for an internship with my office, please complete our online application. For more information, visit trentkelly.house.gov or contact our intern coordinator at ctkinternship@mail.house.gov. |
Smith Drug and Home Medical recently celebrated a remarkable milestone—100 years of serving the Booneville community.
The story of Smith Drug began in 1926 when Ben Charles Smith, a University of Mississippi pharmacy graduate and former president of the pharmacy association, opened the family pharmacy. Over the past century, the business has been passed down through generations of the Smith family and has continued to grow alongside the Booneville community.
Ben Taylor Smith, Ben Charles' son, followed in his father's footsteps after earning his pharmacy degree from the University of Mississippi in 1959 and joined the family business. Throughout the years, Smith Drug has adapted to meet the needs of its customers, offering services ranging from soda fountains and a gift shop to returning its focus to pharmacy services in 1974.
Today, Smith Drug continues its legacy under the ownership of David Berry, carrying forward the commitment to quality service and personal relationships that have defined the business for a century.
To celebrate this milestone, Smith Drug welcomed the Booneville community for a week of festivities featuring local food, activities, and opportunities for family, friends, and customers to come together. "I love greeting customers and seeing all the familiar faces," Gloria Smith said. "It's been a great week."
Small businesses are the backbone of our communities and our economy. For 100 years, Smith Drug has been a trusted part of Booneville, providing essential services and building lasting relationships with generations of customers.
Team Kelly was honored to join in celebrating and is grateful for the small businesses that make Mississippi's First Congressional District such a special place to call home. We look forward to seeing Smith Drug's continued success for years to come. |
I was proud to see the progress on the Pontotoc Fire Department's new station, a project that provides much-needed space and resources for the department as the community continues to grow. Pontotoc's increasing population and rising call volume highlights the need for a modern and larger facility to better support its firefighters and improve emergency response capabilities.
I am excited to see this important project move forward. This new station helps ensure the Pontotoc Fire Department has the tools and facility needed to continue protecting and serving residents for years to come. Strong communities are built on the dedication of local leaders and first responders who work every day to keep their neighbors safe. |
SuperTalk MS | 06.12.26 | Federal bill could bring more agriculture education funds to Mississippi community colleges
A pair of Mississippi lawmakers is pushing bipartisan legislation aimed at expanding agricultural workforce training and education programs at community colleges across the nation.
U.S. Rep. Trent Kelly and U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, both Mississippi Republicans, are touting the Community College Agriculture Advancement Act. The measure would amend the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 to give community colleges greater access to federal grant funding to develop and expand educational programs focused on careers in eh agricultural sector.
Community and technical colleges have historically received less federal support than four-year institutions, despite serving as a critical pipeline for Mississippi agricultural workforce, the lawmakers assert.
DVIDS | 07.16.26 | National Guard Counterdrug Program hosts congressional open house
Counterdrug service members engaged congressional leaders and staff during the National Guard Counterdrug Program Open House at the Cannon House Office Building in Washington, D.C., July 15, 2026.
The event highlighted the program's support to law enforcement agencies and drug prevention initiatives across the nation. Attendees included U.S. House Reps. Trent Kelly of Mississippi, Miachael Guest of Mississippi, David Taylor of Ohio and Mark Messmer of Indiana; Brig. Gen. Richard Cipro, land component commander, Joint Force Headquarters, Massachusetts National Guard; and Command Sgt. Maj. Ronald Smith Jr., command senior enlisted leader of the District of Columbia National Guard.
National Guard Soldiers and Airmen highlighted the Counterdrug Program's five mission areas—criminal analysis, drug demand reduction outreach, ground reconnaissance, aerial reconnaissance and counterdrug schools—and demonstrated how they supported federal, state and local law enforcement while strengthening community drug prevention efforts.
The Dispatch | 07.25.26 | ND Defense brings Navy work to West Point
WEST POINT - A military defense contractor with a West Point facility best known for building military trucks is now building parts for Navy warships.
U.S. Congressman Trent Kelly, who represents Mississippi's 1st Congressional District and sits on the House Armed Services Committee, said the contract reflects a broader push to rebuild the country's industrial base beyond its coasts.
"We did not win World War II because we built great ships on the coast, or we built great airplanes on the coast," Kelly told the crowd of roughly 50 at ND Defense on Friday. "We built those ships, we built those tanks, we built those aircraft all across America."
Kelly said the country's ability to compete with rivals like China depends on spreading manufacturing work, particularly in the defense sector, into regions like the Golden Triangle.
"Rural America has to be engaged in the workforce, or we cannot produce to the level that is required to continue to stay ahead of our adversaries," Kelly said. "... So when we're building pieces and components of ships here in West Pint, Mississippi, that means there's more room to build the actual ships or hulls or the things that are in open water at Huntington Ingalls in Pascagoula or in Norfolk or in Connecticut or in San Diego." |
Mississippi Sound Congressional Roundtable with Congressman Mike Ezell
Golden Triangle Development LINK
Edwina Williams, known as Mother Goose
Tennessee Valley Public Power Association |
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Thanks for reading,
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Rep. Trent Kelly (MS-01)
Member of Congress
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