Centennial is Giving a Fish Hatchery a Facelift

Private John Allen National Fish Hatchery in Tupelo, Miss., is scheduled to get several major improvements, thanks to stimulus funds.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has awarded a contract for $976,807 to Centennial Contractors Enterprises of Reston, Va., in funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, popularly known as stimulus funds. The hatchery improvements include a new office / visitor contact station, repairs to the historic manager’s residence that is used by the public, and a new well and pump to provide water to raise imperiled fish species.

Ricky Campbell, the hatchery manager said, "This multi-part project is going to make a big difference in how the fish hatchery does its job, and in the way we interact with the public. In addition, the nearly $1 million contract is going to be felt right here, benefitting the local economy. The majority of the contract will go to a new office / visitor contact station on the grounds of the hatchery. The office building now being used for visitors and school groups has suffered from structural damage and is no longer large enough or dependable enough for the hatchery’s needs."

Established in 1901, Private John Allen National Fish Hatchery is named after the local Congressman who gave a tongue-in-cheek speech in Congress arguing for funding for the hatchery, which included: “thousands and millions of unborn fish are clamoring to this Congress today for an opportunity to be hatched at the Tupelo hatchery.” It’s located in downtown Tupelo, one of the only fish hatcheries in an urban setting.

For more information: http://www.fws.gov/pvtjohnallen/