South Dakota took a huge step forward as a leader in safeguarding human and animal health with the Aug. 31 groundbreaking for the new South Dakota Animal Disease Research and Diagnostic Laboratory on the SDSU campus. The new space will be built to increase federal lab standards for containment at a bio safety level 3, allowing staff to provide timely diagnostic services for serious or lethal diseases. The lab renovation project was supported by commodity and farm organizations represented through South Dakota’s Ag Unity, the state veterinarian, the S.D. Animal Industry Board, S.D. Veterinary Medical Association, legislative leaders and the governor’s office working together to develop a funding package for the $58 million project. The South Dakota Legislature approved the project in 2017. Construction is expected to be completed in 2020.
