Corbett Administration Announces the Release of Economic Growth Initiative Grant to Southwest Pennsylvania Animal Shelter

Press Release

Governor Tom Corbett today announced the award of a $ 1.5 million Economic Growth Initiative Grant to Animal Friends, a southwest Pennsylvania animal shelter, to assist in the construction of a new Animal Wellness Center.

"This construction of this new center will help Animal Friends in its mission to shelter, care for and find permanent homes for animals in southwest Pennsylvania," said Gov. Corbett. "But its mission does not end there. Animal Friends is committed to educating the public on responsible pet ownership and providing the resources many pet owners need."

This new 17,500 sq. ft. animal wellness facility, designed by IKM Incorporated of Pittsburgh and conveniently located near several major interstate exchanges including 1-279 and 1-79 as well as Route 19 and Route 65, will complement the organization's 70-year commitment to provide education, adoption, and other supportive services to the Southwestern PA region.

The completed Animal Wellness Center will support Animal Friends in meeting the urgent and growing human-animal needs of a multi-county area, proactively address pet overpopulation and the resulting community costs, and provide critical services to underserved populations.

"Pet overpopulation and the lack of accessible pet-related services is taking a financial and emotional toll on the communities and residents of Southwestern PA," said Animal Friends' President & CEO David Swisher. "Our new Animal Wellness Center, made possible in part by the Economic Growth Initiative Grant, will provide cost-effective options for pet owners struggling to care for their pets, help us significantly and compassionately reduce the number of unwanted pets flooding area shelters, and expand our ability to meet the ever-growing demands for our supportive services within our region."

In 2012, Gov. Corbett reformed the state's method of funding Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program with a significant redesign, making the process transparent and responsive to the needs of the community. Projects are now selected based upon their job-creation potential, their economic impact, as well as their viability and construction readiness.

Prior to Gov. Corbett taking office, the state's spending and borrowing for capital redevelopment assistance had become unsustainable for the state and its taxpayers, growing from $400 million in 1986 to slightly more than $4 billion in 2010. Gov. Corbett also said that the program had strayed considerably from its intended purpose of encouraging and assisting job growth through regional economic development projects.

In the program's prior announcement, the Corbett Administration issued 58 new Economic Growth Initiative grants, totaling more than $133 million. The announced projects are expected to create more than 45,000 jobs in 24 counties across the state.

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