LAWRENCE COUNTY, Pa. - The Lawrence County Humane Society is one step closer to getting a new facility.

The organization received a $50,000 grant from the Department of Community and Economic Development according to State Representative Chris Sainato.

The Humane Society will use the grant money to help fund startup costs to create a new building on land they already own.

"The staff at Lawrence County Humane Society's no-kill shelter works hard to provide a safe harbor for homeless, neglected and abused animals and find them loving homes – and many residents in our community have opened their hearts and homes to welcome those animals," Sainato said. "But feeding, housing and caring for animals in need requires space, and the shelter needs a much larger facility."

Lawrence County Humane Society Board of Directors president Lois Winter-McElravy said the grant will go to planning and development costs.

"This grant is extremely helpful for funding all the preparation work that will go into designing the new building," Winter-McElravy said. "It's going to help with the startup work needed to get the project off the ground," she said.