IMMEDIATE RELEASE    

July 11, 2007 

FOR INFORMATION CONTACT

Sherriene Jones-Sontag    

785/296-2302

SPEAKER NEUFELD: KANSAS WELL-SUITED FOR NBAF

Topeka – Kansas Speaker of the House of Representatives Melvin Neufeld (R-Ingalls) said today is an exciting day for the state with the advancement of the Manhattan site into the final rounds of selecting a location for the new National Bio and Agro Defense Facility (NBAF).

“Our state has established itself as a world-leader in animal and plant bio-sciences – making the NBAF a great fit,” Speaker Neufeld said.  “Manhattan’s advancement proves Kansas is well-suited to become home to this important national defense facility.  Such a center would complement and expand the work of the Biosecurity Research Institute, a state-of-the art bio-research facility at Kansas State as well as the numerous plant and animal companies already located in our state.”

Other locations still in running are located in Texas, Mississippi, North Carolina and Georgia.

State lawmakers quickly approved three pieces of legislation during the 2007 session in support of bringing the new NBAF to Kansas:

• HB 2303 - Creates the Kansas NBAF Interagency Working Group.
  
• SB 252 - Conveys land from KSU for the NBAF to the Department of Homeland Security.
  
• HB 5009 - Concurrent Resolution which pledges full support of the Kansas Legislature to do what ever is necessary for Kansas to be selected as the site for the NBAF.

Speaker Neufeld pledged House lawmakers will continue to work to bring NBAF to Kansas

“This is a tremendous opportunity for Kansas – one Kansas legislators are dedicated to seeing becomes a reality.  Our actions during the session demonstrated the State of Kansas’ solid commitment behind the Kansas Bioscience Authority, Manhattan, and Kansas State University and their efforts to obtain the NBAF and its mission,” Neufeld said.

The NBAF would replace the aging Plum Island facility, the federal government’s most secure location for animal disease research. The $451 million dollar facility will employ between 250 – 500 scientists, technicians and other support staff.  Sites in Leavenworth and Manhattan were among 17 sites in 12 states which were under consideration.   The next step in the site selection process will be an environmental impact study projected to be completed in 2008.

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