Topeka ? U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., on Monday rallied officials behind an effort to land a $450 million federal laboratory that will work on disease threats.

“Securing this facility would be one of, if not the greatest economic development initiatives in state history,” Roberts said in a speech to a joint session of the Kansas House and Senate.

Kansas has made the short list for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility.

NBAF will focus on researching diseases that effect plants, animals and humans and developing vaccines.

Eighteen sites in 12 states are under consideration by the federal government.

The two Kansas sites are Leavenworth, home of the Army’s Fort Leavenworth, and Manhattan, home of Kansas Sate University.

Roberts said the state and two communities must put together a proposal that included financial incentives.

Homeland Security has said land acquisition, research capabilities and community support are key criteria for site selection.

The proposed 500,000 square foot facility will have an annual budget of $100 million and require upwards of 300 scientists and support staff.

The lab will replace an aging facility on Plum Island, off the tip of Long Island in New York. Federal officials are expected to narrow the list of contenders this summer with an announced winner next year.

Kansas officials have wholeheartedly thrown their support behind the state effort.

In his 20-minute speech, Roberts described the project as “one of the most exciting scientific and economic development opportunities ever to come before the state of Kansas.”

He said Kansas has a good shot at it because of its agricultural base, and animal and human health science initiatives.

“The merits are on our side,” he said.

Roberts also said bipartisan support and the creation of a task force to lead the effort has also given Kansas a leg up on the competition.

Numerous local officials from Manhattan and the Leavenworth area attended the session.

“We have a good shot at this if the package gets put together well,” said Lansing Mayor Kenneth Bernard.

State Rep. Kenny Wilk, R-Lansing, said if the lab came to Kansas it would spur the development of numerous bioscience companies.

“It is one of the largest single economic opportunity we could pursue,” Wilk said.