Kelley said Wednesday that he feels good about the projects, which would total around $50 million over the next 18 - 20 months.
"It's the first time in a while our area has saw any growth like this," said Kelley. "I'm very excited about it."
First on his update list was a potential new Bell County Jail. Kelley said despite some earlier impressions, he feels that things have gone well at the public meetings and is confident that he will be able to work with all groups to ensure that 98 percent of the residents are happy.
"There is always going to be a few you can't please and there just isn't a whole lot we can do with that," he said.
He said the county is getting ready to hire an architectural firm full-time for the project. Currently, the site for the new jail appears to be in the same location as the current one.
He said when they originally started on the new jail project, the state gave them some resistance.
"The state didn't like the idea because we have a three floor facility and when you do everything in more than one floor, it takes more employees," he said.
He continued by saying that the idea has been tinkered with to turn the current jail into the administration building of the jail and purchase the half-block of land behind the building for the cell part. This would cost about $7.2 - 7.5 million.
"It's about $2.5 million cheaper than we originally thought," he said.
In other areas, Kelley said a very reputable developer has recently written a letter to the Pineville City Council asking to appear at a meeting to propose a new convention center/hotel for the Pineville area. This project, according to Kelley, would be in the $12 million dollar range.
"It's a reality, it's close," he said. "The state has given their blessing to allow the city to work with them on turning the property over from the state. It's to the point where it's moving forward now."
He added that the hotel, if built, would have a 400 seat convention center, a 200 seat restaurant and over 120 rooms. Upon one question from a Kiwanian, Kelley said the subject of a liquor license has not been brought to him yet.
"I've heard the rumors that everyone else will hear - it has to go moist to work," he said. "The developer met with me twice and he has not mentioned it."
Kelley said he has heard the possibility of a moist election but added that it would have to be petitioned to him before it can happen.
"At this time, that has not occurred."
The Pine Mountain Industrial Park, which is located on the Asher land, is currently in the process of being completed with the road and infrastructure that is needed.
Kelley said when he first came into office, he was under the impression that things for the park were already in place but was surprised to find that the bridge that was going in at the park came up a little too short, literally.
He said with the help of the city of Pineville, the city of Middlesboro and everyone behind the scenes, about $10 million was obtained through the state budget to continue on the park.
"The congressman has gotten real excited about the possibility of an airport or regional airport up there," he said. "That is one real growth possibility for Bell County."
He also said the local industrial board is projected to bring 20 to 30 new jobs, with the potential for 15 more later through a business heading for the Whitmer Park behind Epps.
While only 41 percent of residents in Bell have some type of sewer service, Kelley is hoping to expand those services to cover the county more.
He said that if the Pine Mountain Industrial Park can be tied in with other sewer projects, close to 70 percent of residents will be served with sewer.
If that occurs, said Kelley, as far as water, sewer and blacktop - Bell would then be ahead of every other county in the state.
Kelley said that credential alone would give Bell County the advantage of gaining precious jobs and industry to the area.
"Nothing makes it easier to sell to a business or legislator than to tell them we are the front runner for infrastructure," he said. " Perception has been the biggest thing to hold us back in this area and the only way we are going to change the perception is to have each and every group work with us to change that perception."
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