Yesterday, County Executive Rich Fitzgerald and Acting Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Dr. Debra Bogen, to announce a public health project. They were joined by members of the Board of Health, alongside various Health Department and county officials. They convened for a short program and a ceremonial "wall-breaking" event to commence the renovation of a new facility for the county's Public Health Lab, situated in Marshall Township. County Executive Rich Fitzgerald spoke about the importance of the project.
"We wanted to make sure that we had the best facilities in the State that could do the work this region deserves."
The county's existing laboratory, situated in Lawrenceville, is one of only three public health labs in Pittsburgh. The Public Health Laboratory system holds certification for managing biosafety level pathogens, conducting high-complexity clinical laboratory testing, screening for substance abuse, and performing environmental testing. The current lab facility spans 12,500 square feet, but the new space will expand to over 45,000 square feet, providing ample room for increased testing capabilities.
"This project represents a partnership of local, state, and federal funding but the new lab construction will create jobs and boost the economy and move us to the next level of laboratory science," said Bogen. "The Covid-19 pandemic really demonstrated the importance of being able to provide laboratory testing quickly for both emerging and chronic public health threats."
The laboratory's funding and expansion are the result of support from the American Rescue Plan, with an estimated cost of approximately $35 million. Additionally, Pennsylvania's Expanding Laboratory Capacity funding will contribute to acquiring new equipment, further enhancing the lab's capacity within its new facility.
Fitzgerald ended by giving a shoutout to the people who help get the lab to the area.
"Things don't happen unless there is a team that comes together to partner in doing the things we need to do."