[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 118 (Friday, July 31, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2116]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING RECIPIENTS OF THE 2009 THIRD DISTRICT EXCELLENCE IN ECONOMIC 
                           DEVELOPMENT AWARD

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ADRIAN SMITH

                              of nebraska

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 30, 2009

  Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor ten 
individuals, organizations and businesses from Nebraska for receiving 
the 2009 Third District Excellence in Economic Development Award.
  Nebraska, like many rural states, unfortunately has seen a ``brain 
drain'' in recent years and, now more than ever, needs entrepreneurs 
and innovators.
  In May, I called for nominations for individuals, businesses, and 
organizations which have helped strengthen Nebraska communities. These 
entrepreneurs do more than just build successful businesses. They host 
charity events, serve on local chambers of commerce, and shape the 
character of our towns and cities.
  The nominations came from many different people, from a teenager 
starting his own lawn-mowing business to a mainstay in the Nebraska 
business community. All of the nominees have shown they are striving to 
help their home towns succeed into the future.
  Steve Brown, of Thedford, began an entrepreneurial scholarship for 
graduating seniors if they return to the community and begin a 
business, which was matched by the Custer County Chief He is also the 
president of the Thedford Area Community Foundation board. The TACF has 
held a banquet for the past 5 years and has brought in close to $25,000 
every year. They then have given up to $15,000 back to the community 
for repairs and improvements.
  Since 1977 Adam Broughton has helped promote the City of York, saved 
jobs, and established and expanded a number of businesses. He has 
served with the York Chamber of Commerce, the York County Development 
Corporation, and Sertoma. He was instrumental in obtaining two $500,000 
grants for the community of York, one for Gerber Foods Corporation and 
the other for Great West Teeuwissen Corporation. Those grants have 
helped keep over 40 jobs and the businesses in York. Adam helped to 
start Crystal Lake Foods, which processes food products for the United 
States and Asian Rim countries.
  In less than 4 years, Clark Swihart of Columbus has built a company 
employing 14 Nebraskans and is a rapidly growing e-commerce company, 
specializing in unique promotional products--such as custom silicone 
wristbands, t-shirts, and more. He has created a unique service, jobs, 
and revenue.
  Began as a combined effort of Twin Valleys Public Power District in 
Cambridge, Southwest Nebraska RC&D in Cambridge, and Trail Blazers RC&D 
in Red Cloud, the Furnas/Harlan Partnership of Arapahoe is striving to 
build a unified vision for economic development in Furnas and Harlan 
counties. The Partnership works with individual communities to help 
promote the surrounding communities and educate residents to help 
further their careers.
  GROW Nebraska of Holbrook is a non-profit organization which has 
helped hundreds of small businesses and entrepreneurs in Nebraska for 
more than 10 years. From training sessions to networking and access to 
new markets through cooperative ads, GROW has helped Nebraska business 
grow and succeed. Recently GROW Nebraska was selected as a finalist for 
the eBay Seller's Challenge. GROW has also introduced a Flavors 
Project. The project gives people ``GROW bucks'' and allows them to use 
them at various participating locations just like cash.
  Rich and Kellie Patterson, owners and operators of Hometown Hardware 
in Kimball, have made a name for themselves through their dedication to 
customer service and devotion to community. The young couple have been 
described as an ``anchor of our downtown'' and in just 2 years have 
already expanded their store.
  Though only in high school, Ryan Grossnicklaus of Aurora owns and 
operates a lawn mowing company in Aurora and was recently awarded a 
scholarship by the National Federation of Independent Business Young 
Entrepreneur Foundation.
  Todd Messing of Columbus started his own business, Messinc, in 2004. 
Todd is involved in the New Neighborhoods Initiative grant process to 
provide affordable housing to those with low to moderate income. His 
main goal is to provide assistance to community and economic 
development using education and volunteerism while keeping a profitable 
and environmentally-friendly business process.
  Finally, Xpanxion LLC of Kearney is an international software 
development company which has placed a priority on hiring Nebraskans, 
has opened a quality assurance center in Kearney, and has focused on 
working closely with the University of Nebraska-Kearney. Xpanxion's has 
already created 16 full-time jobs and 4 part-time positions, and plan 
to add more jobs in the future. Xpanxion has helped curb the ``brain 
drain'' by hiring employees back to rural Nebraska from places outside 
of Nebraska.
  I am proud to be able to recognize all of the honorees today and I 
thank them for their service to Nebraska.

                          ____________________