WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Department of Homeland Security narrowed the list of candidates for a $450 million biodefense lab to five, with the final winner to be announced by October 2008.
The National Bio- and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) will replace a smaller lab at Plum Island, N.Y., that studies foot-and-mouth disease and other germs affecting agriculture and livestock. The NBAF will continue that research in addition to other projects, which may include anthrax, smallpox, and Marburg and Lassa fever, two rare hemorrhagic diseases.
The original list of candidates had 17 sites in 12 states, including Texas A&M, whose research was recently suspended after they failed to report two incidents where researchers were exposed to dangerous contagions. The five sites still in the running are located in San Antonio, Texas; Athens, Ga.; Manhattan, Kan.; Madison County, Miss.; and Granville County, N.C.
Authorities estimate the NBAF could create anywhere from 300 to 500 jobs, with an economic impact between $3.5 and $6 billion. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2010, with the lab ready to operate by 2014.
