SEED give Mass-RI Veterinary award

By Kelly L. Anderson
PBN Staff Writer

SWANSEA – Mass-RI Veterinary ER Inc. has been awarded the South Eastern Economic Development Corp.’s 2011 Small Business of the Year award, in recognition of its growth and job generation.

The SEED Corp. presented the award to co-owners Michelle A. Lampe and Aaron Morrison at its annual meeting on Dec. 1.

“We are very pleased to present our Small Business of the Year award to a woman-owned small business, which has grown to 36 employees in these difficult economic times by providing excellent emergency and critical care to animals,” said Richard Shafer, SEED’s vice chair.

SEED's nominating committee selected MASS-RI Veterinary ER from a pool of 350 candidates. SEED's criteria included enhancement of the region's economy through creation of jobs, and financial performance.

Over the last six years, annual revenues at the emergency room increased by 600 percent, and staff grew from six to 36, including eight doctors of veterinary medicine.

In 2007, SEED provided the practice with a $277,000 loan under the SBA 504 Program along with $608,000 from Greenwood Credit Union. The financing helped the practice buy a 5,100 square foot building at 477 Milford Rd. in Swansea to expand operations.