North Carolina is being considered for a state-of-the-art federal biological and agricultural research facility designed to protect the country's food supply and public health from new and emerging diseases and bioterrorism.
Scientists working at the proposed National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility will study human and animal diseases and will develop tests and vaccines important to public health.
Huge Potential Impact
The facility, estimated by the Department of Homeland Security to cost $450 million, would create up to 1,500 construction jobs over four years. Once operational, it would employ between 250 and 500 scientists, technicians and administrative staff, and impact North Carolina's economy by as much as $1.65 billion during its first 20 years, according to a North Carolina Department of Commerce study.
Statewide Consortium Proposes Site
A North Carolina consortium has proposed two parcels of state-owned land on the Umstead Research Farm in southwestern Granville County as possible sites for the facility. The Department of Homeland Security received applications for 29 sites and in August 2006 trimmed the list to 18 sites sponsored by consortia in 14 states.
The Department of Homeland Security pared the list to five states on July 11, 2007:
- North Carolina
- Georgia
- Kansas
- Mississippi
- Texas
North Carolina's consortium is led by North Carolina State University with several partners from government, academia and industry, including the North Carolina Biotechnology Center.
"North Carolina not only meets the criteria established by the government, but the state also possesses unique leadership strengths in the areas of biomedical, plant and animal agricultural enterprises, and premier science and technology parks," said Dr. Warwick Arden, dean of N.C. State's College of Veterinary Medicine.
"N.C. State and its consortium partners provide the veterinary expertise, research science and national and international contacts needed to successfully contribute to such a large project."
About the Facility
NBAF will house between 250 and 350 scientists and technicians from the departments of Homeland Security, Agriculture and other federal agencies. They will research “high-consequence” biological threats involving human, zoonotic (transmitted from animals to humans), and foreign animal diseases. The work will include basic research; diagnostic development, testing, and validation; advanced countermeasure development; and training for high-consequence livestock diseases.
Construction of the 520,000-square-foot facility in North Carolina would create 1,000 to 1,500 construction jobs over four years and generate an estimated $1.65 billion in new revenue during the first 20 years of operation in the facility’s projected 50-year life span. North Carolina’s proposed site for NBAF is located on 200 acres of state-owned land at the Umstead Research Farm in Butner.
A final decision on where NBAF will be located is scheduled for October 2008. The facility will be built and operational by 2014.