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Archive for Monday, January 12, 2009

Homeland Security Dept. confirms Manhattan as site

A new federal lab will be built in Kansas to help protect the country from bioterrorism and the threat of plant an animal diseases.

By Mark Fagan

January 12, 2009, 6:07 p.m. Updated January 12, 2009, 6:13 p.m.

A hub for protecting the country from disease outbreaks and bioterrorist attacks indeed will be built in Kansas.

The Department of Homeland Security said Monday that the National Bio- and Agro-Defense Facility would be built on the Kansas State University campus in Manhattan, confirming the department’s own preliminary decision reached last month.

The $450 million project — one expected to last four years and require 1,500 construction jobs — would replace an aging facility on Plum Island, N.Y.

Once completed, the new facility would be expected to employ 300 people, with an annual payroll of up to $30 million.

The project, as envisioned, would be used primarily to protect against animal diseases by conducting research on deadly pathogens, such as foot and mouth disease, Rift Valley fever and Hendra and Nipah viruses.

Construction could start next year.

“With this new lab, Kansas will cement its reputation as the nation’s leader in plant and animal health research and the biosciences,” said Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., in a statement released Monday evening. “We will reap the benefits of a cutting-edge industry while protecting the nation’s food supply and agricultural economy for years to come. Kansans can be very proud. This is a historic day.”

Kansas outlasted intense competition from other states, including finalists in Flora, Miss.; Athens, Ga.; Butner, N.C.; and San Antonio, Texas.

Kansas officials long touted the state’s strength in animal sciences, including an existing federal lab at K-State that could be used to address the nation’s needs during construction of the new lab. The state also has approved $105 million in bonds for the project.

“We can really be proud of our teamwork to prove that Kansas is the best home for this laboratory based on the merits,” Roberts said. “We had a unity of effort from the federal to the local level, across parties, with private partners and community leaders to bring this tremendous opportunity to the people of Kansas.”

Discussion

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12 January 2009
at 9:44 p.m.

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Confrontation (Anonymous) says…

Good. Maybe now they can figure out where that horrible K-State stench is coming from.
12 January 2009
at 10:54 p.m.

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Freestater456 (Anonymous) says…

Ah yes the stench from K-State which is hardly more noticeable than the repulsive odor of weed from the hippies at KU.
12 January 2009
at 11:01 p.m.

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feeble (Anonymous) says…

Ignoring the “Outbreak”-style doom saying, this is a win for Kansas. I challenge any poster to demonstrate a fully funded, ready for implementation project that will bring comparable revenue and jobs to this state in the next four years. Facilities like this will help stem the “brain-drain” from Kansas, promote real, economic development and improve our standard of living as Kansans. We should, despite any sports-related rivalries, be proud that this is coming to Kansas.
13 January 2009
at 12:36 p.m.

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SteelHorseRider (Anonymous) says…

I just hope they stumble upon the cure for the common cold that has been kicking my rear….
13 January 2009
at 1:01 p.m.

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jj024 (Anonymous) says…

Great, that is great. Now instead of being able to contain anything it will spread from the inside of this country. Now instead of being on an island it is smack in the middle of North America? Genius. G bless America. Not only do we have the opportunity to wipe out a huge hunk of the worlds wheat but we can wipe out most of the population with one stone. Nice. Merry Christmas Kansas, here is a vial of Ebola. Don't drop it!
13 January 2009
at 1:53 p.m.

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cthulhu_4_president (Anonymous) says…

notnow:There is an AQ cell around Manhattan and one between DeSoto and KC.All ya have to do is be alert and you will know it is true. I have told of my experiences here before regarding this––––––––––––––––––––––––Actually, all you have to be is paranoid and mentally unstable and you can know anything you want!