April 17, 2018
Dear Friend,
The importance of small businesses in supporting the state of Mississippi and America cannot be overstated. Those who are willing to invest in hardworking Mississippians need the support of their communities to achieve success. This effort begins by building and maintaining a strong relationship with the organizations that can assist them. In the First District, we are fortunate to have a variety of resources which offer advice and other services including the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and two SCORE chapters.
Through my role as the chairman of the House Small Business Subcommittee on Investigations, Oversight, and Regulations, we will continue to explore ways to enhance resources for our small business operators. Last week, we held a hearing to discuss ways to continue to help entrepreneurs succeed. To watch an excerpt from the hearing, please click on the link.
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fiscal year 2019 national defense budget
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Adequate funding is critical to restoring readiness that will provide a long-term plan to protect America from emerging threats around the world. As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, my colleagues and I are committed to achieving this goal through careful study and thorough questioning of our military leadership and all those who are helping to shape America's national defense strategy.
Recently, we held a hearing to discuss the fiscal year 2019 national defense budget request for the Department of Defense. I appreciated the opportunity to discuss our concerns with General Joseph F. Dunford, Junior, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff and The Honorable James Mattis, Secretary of Defense, U.S. Department of Defense. To watch an excerpt from the hearing, please click on the link.
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bruce telephone company
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Access to broadband technology, especially in rural areas, will help businesses to innovate, grow and create more jobs. Additionally, residents will benefit from high speed internet which will improve their quality of life. Bruce Telephone Company, located in the First District, has taken ambitious steps to improve access to internet services with a complete network fiber upgrade. This years-long effort provides high speed internet access (100 Mbps and higher) to more than 80 percent of their customer base in the Bruce and Calhoun County area, with many customers able to receive Gigabit speeds.
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Bruce Telephone Company Outside
Plant Supervisor Jay Clanton
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High speed internet is benefiting companies that could not continue to operate without a direct, high speed connection to their corporate offices and branches. Small businesses are now able to grow their online presence which boosts sales and creates more jobs to meet the demand. Local schools are offering subjects through online courses that will enable our young people to have a broader education. The company's investment has placed Bruce Telephone Company in the national spotlight. Recently, Bruce Telephone Company was awarded the Smart Rural Community Showcase Award from the National Telecommunications Cooperative Association.
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Bruce Telephone Company General
Manager Jay Vanlandingham and Director
of Marketing Morgan Turner |
Jay Vanlandingham, Bruce Telephone Company general manager, said the company's vested interest in the community has allowed them to provide superior service over the most modern technology to their customers. "With this, our customer can surf, watch and play online as easy in rural Mississippi as anywhere in the country," Jay said.
We are grateful to Bruce Telephone Company for their investment in the First District and for taking this important step to move our state forward.
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building a workforce
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Mississippi's workforce is second to none and we plan to keep it that way. In order to meet the needs of employers, it is vital that we continue to cultivate a workforce that will help companies achieve success now and in the future. We are seeing efforts throughout the district to accomplish this goal. In Winston County, a group of volunteers started the Mississippi Scholars and the Mississippi Scholars Techmaster programs in 2005. Program participants offer students the tools they need to have choices after they graduate. Beginning in the 8th grade, students are made aware of the assistance available to them whether they want to directly enter the workforce, pursue a 2-year or 4-year degree, or serve our nation in the military. Whatever their choice, students are prepared due to the successful completion of MS Scholars or MS Scholars Techmaster program.
Last week, members of the Winston County Economic Development Partnership joined sponsors, local officials, volunteers, school counselors and students for the annual Salute to Success Breakfast to celebrate the achievements of participating students.
A total of 103 students from Louisville and Winston County schools were honored during the celebration. We congratulate these students for all their hard work and all those who commit their time and energy to helping these young people achieve their goals.
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American conservative union foundation
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American Conservative Union Chairman
Matt Schlapp and Executive
Director Dan Schneider |
It was an honor to receive the American Conservative Union Foundation Award for Achievement. This award recognized my commitment to America's foundational principles, the U.S. Constitution, and recognition of the ACU rating of 89 percent.
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a week in pictures
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For more photos from a week in pictures, please visit my Facebook page.
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Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway
Administrator Mitch Mays and board
members Nick Ardillo (MS), Jason Rich (TN),
and Brian Roy (KY) |
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Mississippi State University Extension
Service representatives and 4-H Club
members Cody Ingram (Lauderdale),
Taylor Fields (Aberdeen), Jonah Holland
(Belmont), Tarah Ferguson (Coldwater),
Dr. Judith Breland (Wiggins), Jessica Lindsey
(Southaven), Malikah Jones (Shuqualak),
and Dr. Jason R. Barret (Starkville) |
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Scott, Preston, and Peyton Knight with
Kim Smith from Saltillo |
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Leidos Advanced
Solutions Group President Mike Chagnon |
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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