On November 16, 2023, the Ohio Department of Agriculture held a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the commencement of construction of the new Dr. Tony Forshey Animal Health Building and the Ohio Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. The Laboratory is named in honor of the late Ohio State Veterinarian who served from 2006 until his untimely passing in 2021. The new facility has a projected completion date in mid-2026. The Laboratory will extend over 70,000 square feet will have enhanced biosecurity installations and will cost $72 million.

The new facility will replace the existing 1961 structure that despite overcrowding is staffed by a dedicated group of professionals conducting close to 450,000 tests annually.

“Our livestock industry and agriculture community has advocated tirelessly for this much needed enhancement to the services we provide at the Ohio Department of Agriculture,” said Brian Baldridge, Director of the Ohio Department of Agriculture.  He continued “We applaud the DeWine-Husted Administration and the Ohio Legislature for supporting this cutting-edge technology as we continue to protect livestock and the citizens of this great state.”