FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 11, 2022
Contact: Press_Paul@paul.senate.gov, 202-224-4343
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Recently, U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, recognized Burchett’s Heating and Cooling of Paintsville, Kentucky, as the Senate Small Business of the Week.
Dr. Paul entered the following into the Congressional Record:
Mr. PAUL. Mr. President, as Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each week I recognize an outstanding Kentucky small business that exemplifies the American entrepreneurial spirit. This week, it is my privilege to recognize the small business, Burchett’s Heating and Cooling of Paintsville, Kentucky, as the Senate Small Business of the Week.
Rogell Burchett had a keen eye for business opportunities, which is why he opened Burchett’s Heating and Cooling in 1978. As a gas company employee, he could not ignore all the new homes being built in his area when he knew there was little market for natural gas and furnace installations. So he started what was then a side venture called Burchett’s Heating and Cooling. Rogell’s vision and dedication allowed that side venture to grow into a family business now entering into its third generation of management.
When the business was first founded, Burchett’s operations mainly involved natural gas and furnace work. However as Kentucky saw the coal industry abate, Burchett’s Heating and Cooling adapted to include more geothermal work as well as some light commercial work. Clearly Rogell passed his sharp intuition for running a business along to his children and grandchildren, as this transition took place over multiple generations. Growing into what his father created, Neal Burchett took over the business when his father Rogell retired. Later on, Neal’s son Ryan Burchett would also become part of the operation, serving as the management arm of this family owned business. Together, these three generations of Burchett men have kept Paintsville warm during the cold Kentucky winters, and cool in the summers, with the comfort of Paintsville citizens remaining their top priority.
With over forty years of experience, Burchett’s Heating and Cooling maintains close relationships with customers that count on them for quality, year after year. Of course when the business stays in the family as it has with the Burchett men, it is easy to see how the community of Paintsville could place their trust in their services. That being said, Burchett’s Heating and Cooling remains an active member of the Paintsville community outside of their normal business operations. Staying true to their family-owned nature, the business sponsors the local high school basketball and football teams, teams that both Neal and Ryan used to play for during their high school years. Burchett’s Heating and Cooling also provides free services to their local church so that parishioners can worship comfortably.
Small businesses like Burchett’s Heating and Cooling are the lifeblood of small towns across Kentucky, and they serve as an inspiring example of how the entrepreneurial spirit transcends multiple generations. Congratulations to Neal and Ryan and the entire Burchett’s Heating and Cooling team. I wish them the best of luck and look forward to watching their continued growth and success in Kentucky.
As Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Dr. Paul continues the tradition of honoring America’s small businesses and entrepreneurs. The Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship oversees proposed legislation on matters relating to the Small Business Administration and investigates all problems relating to America’s small businesses.
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