1. 11
Photo provided by Kansas Bioscience
s
Authority
will have an annual operating budget of
$125 million, and its projected economic
impact over the first 20 years is a whop-
ping $3.5 billion.
But the project’s real significance goes
beyond the numbers by confirming Kansas
as the nation’s unequivocal animal health
leader. Even before the NBAF decision,
Kansas comprised more than half of the
Animal Health Corridor, a 250-mile strip
of real estate that bisects the Kansas City
Metro Area and accounts for 34 percent
of sales in the $17 billion global animal
health industry. The Corridor alone is
home to 13,000 animal health employees
Homeland Security taps
and more than 125 animal health compa-
nies, making it the most prolific geograph-
ic concentration of animal health industry
assets in the world.
Kansas to host NBAF Now the region has NBAF, too.
“Few observers questioned Kansas’
leadership in animal health prior to this
Decision confirms state’ reputation
s announcement,” said Angela Kreps, Presi-
dent of KansasBio. “Now that Kansas has
as unequivocal animal health leader
been named the home to NBAF. Kansas
is the absolute center of the animal health
and veterinary science universe.”
If there were any remaining doubts about throughout the selection process. “The
decision to locate NBAF here at Kansas Kansas is “simply the best
Kansas’ status in the global animal health State University speaks volumes about our site”
industry, they disappeared with a single animal health infrastructure and ensures While the DHS selection process was
decision by the Department of Homeland Kansas’ central role in important biosecu- competitive, it’s not hard to see why Kan-
Security. rity research for years to come.” sas ultimately emerged the winner. For
The DHS decision, announced in early The numbers alone are impressive. starters, the Kansas State University site
December, made Kansas State University NBAF will encompass 500,000 square feet offered proximity to the Animal Health
the site of the National Bio and Agro-De- of state-of-the-art lab space and employ Corridor. Kansas’ location in the middle
fense Facility, the new federal laboratory 250 to 350 high-tech positions. The facility of the continental United States was also
that will accelerate animal disease re-
search to protect the nation’s food supply
and agricultural economy. Once complete,
the $650 million facility will head research
NBAF by the numbers
into foreign animal and animal-to-human
diseases, including those that could be
introduced by terrorist means — thereby The Department of Homeland Security’s selection of Manhattan, Kan., as the site for
making Kansas the hub of the nation’s NBAF ended a three-year site selection process that began with 29 potential locations
most cutting-edge biosecurity activities. nationwide. Here’s a quick look at the project and what it means to Kansas.
The DHS announcement ended a three-  $650 million in direct capital investment
year selection process that began with 29
potential locations nationwide and ended  500,000 square feet of lab space
with a news conference on the Kansas  250 to 350 high-tech employees
State University campus.
“This is a huge success story for Kan-  $125 million annual operating budget
sas,” said Kansas Bioscience Authority
 $3.5 billion economic impact in the first 20 years
President Tom Thornton, who was instru-
mental in promoting Kansas’ application

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continued from page 11
an attractive option, considering the ex-
tent to which top researchers are expected
to travel to and from the new facility.
Perhaps most importantly, the university
already housed the Biosecurity Research
Institute, arguably the nation’s foremost
biosecurity facility, and several other hu-
man and capital assets that would make it
much easier to get the new federal facility
running in Kansas than in another state.
“We made it clear in our application
that, if selected, Kansas was ready on day
one to get this work done,” Thornton said.
“The resources, the infrastructure and
the talent were already in place. In other
words, Kansas offered a solution, not a
site.”
While Kansas leaders knew they had
a strong application, they didn’t take
anything for granted. Early in the process,
Gov. Kathleen Sebelius created the Kansas
NBAF Task Force, a 45-person coalition
of Kansas’ top elected officials, business
s Senate president Stephen Morris. leaders and scientists to make a compel-
KANSAS BIOSCIENCE I Spring 2009

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continued from page 12
ling case for federal officials to choose juggernaut, and it played a huge role in
Manhattan, Kan., as the preferred site for The Corridor alone is the DHS decision.
NBAF. The task force was also charged “The Kansas delegation was instru-
home to 13,000 animal
with educating the public and coordinat- mental on two levels,” said Governor
ing community outreach and advocacy for health employees and more Mark Parkinson. “For starters, the group
the project. By any measure, that outreach than 125 animal health did a fantastic job in promoting Kansas’
was extensive. companies, making it the infrastructural assets and demonstrating
From the beginning, it was clear that why Manhattan was the best choice. But
most prolific geographic
this was no ordinary task force. For on another level, the group conveyed that
starters, it was remarkably bipartisan. concentration of animal health Kansas leaders were willing to leave par-
Equally important, it boasted the big- industry assets in the world. tisanship and special interests at the door
gest of Kansas’ big shots, including Gov. in pursuit of this shared objective. That
Sebelius; Lt. Gov. Mark Parkinson; U.S. kind of teamwork is rare, and it really set
Senators Pat Roberts and Sam Brown- state-level congressional leaders. In the Kansas apart. All in all, Kansas was simply
back; KBA President Thornton; and end, the Kansas NBAF Task Force was a the best site.” Z
What they’re saying
 Gov. Kathleen Sebelius
“Working together across communities and universities, we made our case for the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility, and
we are proud to be its future home. We look forward to the contribution Kansas will make to our national security and to NBAF’s
positive impact on our state for generations to come.”
 U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts
“With this new lab, Kansas will cement its reputation as the nation’s leader in plant and animal health research and the biosciences.
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.”
 U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback
“This is great news. NBAF is a great win for Kansas, and Kansas is a great win for NBAF.”
 U.S. Rep. Jerry Moran
“This is the good news we’ve been looking forward to, especially as our economy continues to struggle. The right choice was
made today to confirm Manhattan as the location to conduct the critical animal disease research needed to secure America’s food
supply. This world class research facility will benefit Kansans for years to come — protecting our agriculture industries, growing
our economy and providing an opportunity for our best and brightest young people to stay and work in Kansas. I am working in
Congress to make certain that funding for NBAF construction and research is a top national priority.”
 U.S. Rep. Lynn Jenkins:
“The selection speaks loudly to the leadership in animal health research and the animal health industry that Kansas has in the
United States. K-State’s internationally recognized animal health research expertise and research infrastructure, including the
Biosecurity Research Institute and the National Agricultural Biosecurity Center, make it an exceptional location for the NBAF.”
 U.S. Rep. Dennis Moore
“I’m thrilled to join the rest of the Kansas congressional delegation, Gov. Sebelius, Lt. Gov. Mark Parkinson, Kansas State University
and the Kansas Bioscience Authority in celebrating this exciting announcement.”
 Senate President Steve Morris
“To offset disappointing budget news, it is encouraging to know we are on the threshold of one of the most exciting projects in
Kansas history. Manhattan, Kan., has been selected as the site for the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF). Kansas
competed against a number of states to earn consideration for this prestigious and critical national security project. As competitors
fell by the wayside, Kansas intensified its cooperative and coordinated efforts to win.”