This news item is about: Construction has officially begun for the New York State Animal Health Diagnostic Center (AHDC). The $80 million Center will be built with a $56 million grant from the State of New York. This grant, supplemented by $24 million from Cornell University and other sources, will be used to fund construction of the Center. The 125,000 gross square foot Center is expected to be complete in 2010 and will accommodate the work of more than 200 people who are currently housed in 12 locations. Complete with laboratories at biosafety levels 2 and 3 (which will enhance Cornell's ability to investigate infectious diseases), a state-of-the-art necropsy facility and multidisciplinary diagnostic laboratories, the new Center will replace the existing facilities, which were constructed in 1978, and expand Cornell's service, teaching, and research capacities.