USDA Rural Development joined members of the Animal Care Sanctuary in East Smithfield last Thursday for a special open house event held to celebrate the completion of the sanctuary’s recent renovations. Rural Development funded this project through a $15,000 Community Facilities loan and a $15,000 Community Facilities Grant, for a total funding amount of $30,000.
The Rural Development loan and grant combination was used by the Animal Care Sanctuary to complete renovations to their existing shelter, which contains over 500 animals. The repairs included replacing the front and rear desks at the clinic, winterizing the pipes underneath the clinic, and replacing the water lines of 3 buildings. This funding will allow the sanctuary to continue providing various community services which include adoption programs, vaccinations, obedience classes, and spay/neuter surgeries.
In Pennsylvania last year, the USDA Community Facility Program assisted 29 rural communities with loans and grants totaling more than $103 million dollars. These programs have helped small communities build schools, university residence halls, firehouses, and municipal buildings. The loans and grants also provide low cost ways for communities to acquire police and fire vehicles, emergency and utility equipment, and other critical infrastructure.
President Obama’s historic investments in rural America have made our rural communities stronger. Under his leadership, investments in housing, community facilities, businesses and infrastructure have empowered rural America to continue leading the way – strengthening America’s economy, small towns and rural communities.