COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) The federal government will build a new $3 million center in Columbia to treat Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans.

Officials told The State of Columbia that the 10,000-sq.-ft. center at the Dorn VA Medical Center will offer primary and mental health services.

Construction on the center is expected to begin in the fall.

Officials said VA clinics around South Carolina have treated 3,366 Iraq and Afghanistan veterans in the past year, and those numbers are expected to rise as more veterans return home.

The new center will include areas for families and children to wait while patients are being seen.