[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 28 (Tuesday, March 7, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E286]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               RECOGNIZING THE COMMUNITY OF PALCO, KANSAS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JERRY MORAN

                               of kansas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 7, 2006

  Mr. MORAN of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
citizens of Palco, Kansas for long-term efforts to sustain and 
revitalize their community.
  Mayor Leo VonFeldt is proud to call this town of 235 people home. 
``Palco continues to grow,'' Vonfeldt said. ``The community has done a 
lot to keep going forward.''
  Over the last ten years, the citizens of Palco have taken action to 
ensure that their community continues to be home to another generation 
of Kansans.
  In 1996, a USDA Rural Development grant was supplemented by $125,000 
of local dollars in order to complete an expansion of Kyser Machine 
Products. This effort provided six jobs to the local economy.
  The development of Keller Motors/Petro Plus & Quality Collision 
Repair was completed in 1998. This half a million dollar project 
included a $250,000 owner investment, $200,000 in local contributions 
and Federal funding of $50,000. The result of this shared investment is 
that 6 employees now provide area residents a full service gas station, 
24 hour fuel access and auto collision service. The business has made a 
positive contribution to the community. The significance of that 
contribution was highlighted when owner Myron Keller was recognized as 
the 2004 National Young Entrepreneur of the Year by the U.S. Small 
Business Administration. Keller said he was humbled by the award, which 
in his opinion belongs to the entire community. ``Our community 
recognizes that we can't just sit back. We must be pro-active and keep 
working hard for a better future,'' Keller said. ``Nothing just happens 
in rural America. You have to make it happen.''
  In 2002, a dedicated effort was made to enhance local government 
services through construction of a new city building. The facility was 
funded by $120,000 in local donations and includes a city office, 
ambulance service and fire department.
  The following year, community food service availability was greatly 
improved when the Palco Community Development Corporation purchased and 
completely remodeled a local restaurant. The $45,000 project has 
resulted in 6 day a week restaurant service. In addition, new ownership 
took over Palco's grocery store which preserved access to grocery 
service for local residents.
  In 2004, an investment of $132,000 from local and Federal sources 
resulted in the renovation and opening of the Palco Medical Clinic. The 
clinic provides residents with needed health care service. Also, 
Midwest Community Bank opened a facility in Palco which preserved local 
access to lending and investment opportunities. That same year, the 
city completed a two year community enhancement initiative. The $2.2 
million project established a home improvement program, a new sewer 
plant and construction of a new city street near the downtown area.
  In the last decade, the citizens of Palco have leveraged more than 
$3,250,000 of private, local and Federal investment into their 
community. Most recently, the town has taken on the task of developing 
a local day care facility. Community leaders hope to have the facility 
open by the fall of this year. According to Mayor VonFeldt this is just 
one more example of the community coming together to achieve a goal. 
``Citizens are willing to give of their time, energy and resources,'' 
VonFeldt said. ``This is what makes Palco great.''
  For rural communities to survive and prosper into the future, 
citizens must be willing to create their own opportunities for success. 
Ongoing efforts to revitalize Palco are an example of how hard work, 
vision and community support can create just such an opportunity. 
Citizens throughout Kansas are working together to enhance the quality 
of life in their communities. Palco is a success story that 
demonstrates how teamwork and creative thinking can make a positive 
difference in rural America.

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