The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service's laboratory in Georgia, announced earlier this week, is the nation's largest such complex.

Chavonda Jacobs-Young, USDA chief scientist and under secretary for Research, Education and Economics, was at the Southeast Poultry Research Laboratory in Athens, Ga., for the official ribbon-cutting ceremony at the facility's new National Poultry Research Center, according to an Oct. 4 news release.

"This modernized facility will serve as the largest poultry research complex in the United States, housing the largest number of researchers and staff dedicated to preventing, discovering and solving poultry health problems," Jacobs-Young said in the release.

The new research facility will come with additional laboratory staff for improved response to highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreaks, according to the release. Research center staff will provide data for eradication and control of poultry diseases such as Newcastle disease, reoviruses, infectious bursal disease, Marek's disease and other exotic and emerging viruses.

"When pathogens and diseases threaten the health of poultry, animal health experts in government and industry know that Southeast Poultry Research Laboratory researchers have the knowledge and expertise to quickly find answers and develop solutions," Acting ARS Administrator Simon Liu said in the news release.

Those attending the ribbon-cutting ceremony also include Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Gary Black, who gave the invocation; Georgia U.S. House Reps. Sanford Bishop Jr., Andrew Clyde and Jody Hice; Athens Mayor Kelly Girtz; and Georgia Poultry Federation President Mike Giles, who gave remarks during the ceremony, according to the release.