Laois praise for US city's 'luxurious' $17 million animal shelter
Laois officials toured the county's twinned city in the USA for St Patrick's Week, where a "luxurious" $17 million animal shelter greatly impressed Laois Cathaoirleach Cllr Thomasina Connell.
Cllr Connell visited both Franklin, Tennessee and New York, with Laois County Council CEO John Mulholland and Director of Services Simon for a week over St Patrick's Day this year.
As well as visiting Franklin High School, the O'More College of Design in Abbey-Leix House, and a fire station, they got to visit Williamson County Animal Center, which serves the county and takes in some 4,000 domestic animals a year in a 35,000 sqft complex, with a 97% live release rate.
Speaking back home at the March council meeting, Cllr Connell was full of praise for the $17 million shelter, and for the success of their trip in forging relations.
"It's a different economic landscape. We enquired how a project like this was funded. $1 million was federal funding, and they fundraised a further $16 million to deliver it from private people. A lot of wealthy people live in Williamson county. It is a very high end animal shelter, for stray dogs, cats and on occasion horses and even guineapigs. It is enormous. So many animals end up in Williamson County because of this luxurious facility. It was very interesting to see," Cllr Connell said.
As part of the twinning, Laois students who practice music with Music Generation Laois will visit Franklin in April.
The Laois delegation toured the administrative offices of the City of Franklin, and it was agreed that both local authorities will keep in touch to benefit both areas into the future.
Franklin in Williamson County is twinned with Laois and that relationship was renewed at a Reunification Ceremony, hosted by Mayor of the City of Franklin Ken Moore and Mayor Rogers Anderson of Williamson County.
The delegation also met with Williamson Inc, the county's chamber of commerce, where opportunities and challenges were discussed in both rapidly growing communities.
Laois County Council report that Williamson Inc point to their local low tax rates, excellent education facilities, mixed home optoins, central local, local attractions and a diverse local economy help to boost the county.
They now intend to keep in contact with a view to advising each other on inward investment, supporting arts and cultural exchanges and promoting tourism.