Kansas legislators tour site of National Bio, Agro-Defense Facility

A trio of Republican legislators from Kansas, U.S. Sens. Pat Roberts and Jerry Moran and Rep. Tim Huelshamp, recently toured the future home of the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) in Manhattan, Kansas.

Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate (DHS S&T) Under Secretary Dr. Reginald Brothers guided the tour and provided an update on the current status of construction. Joining the members on the tour were Dr. Robert Griffin, DHS S&T Deputy Under Secretary and Dr. Ron Trewyn, Assistant to the President/NBAF Liaison, Kansas State University.

On the campus of Kansas State University, NBAF will be a state-of-the-art bio-containment facility for the study of foreign animal and emerging and zoonotic diseases that threaten the nation’s livestock, agriculture and public health. Zoonotic diseases are transmitted from animals to humans.

“This lab is a critical investment to our national security, but it also represents a large financial commitment from the taxpayers and our state,” Roberts said. “We have a dedicated team of folks at all levels of government that are watching this project and are fighting to ensure it is completed and has the funds needed to get the lab up and operating as soon as possible.”

“It is imperative that work continues on this facility to protect our country’s food supply,” Huelskamp said. “As a farmer, I understand first-hand the importance of NBAF… .”

The NBAF is slated to create 1,500 construction jobs and 450 permanent jobs with an economic impact of $3.5 billion in its first 20 years.