(RALEIGH) -- The state public health lab is increasing its space by one-third so it can expand the services it offers to North Carolinians. The lab handles rabies and HIV testing, food safety, and newborn health screenings.

Assistant Director of Operations Mike Kaufman said increased electrical and air handling capacities will allow them to use more sophisticated equipment. "Our present facility just can't support the electrical loads, can't support the air handling, can't support it safely in that facility and this new facility gives us that opportunity not only to meet present demands but for future needs as well," said Kaufman.

The lab processes more than one million samples and generates six million test results a year. The operation also trains two thousand workers each year.