OLATHE, Kan. — Kansas’ internationally recognized animal health research expertise, state-of-the-art research and industry infrastructure, and deep agricultural heritage have made it the federal government’s choice for a $650 million scientific laboratory that will boost efforts to protect the American food supply and agriculture economy.

U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts announced today that a record of decision has been signed naming Kansas State University in Manhattan the future home of the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF). The decision finalizes a recommendation made last month by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) after a three-year site selection process that began with 29 potential locations across the country.

Kansas Bioscience Authority president Tom Thornton said the decision was right for the country.

“When it comes to the critically urgent work of protecting America’s food supply, Kansas offers a solution, not a site,” Thornton said. “We already have national leadership in this research, which will allow us to move forward on day one as the federal government’s partner in achieving the NBAF mission.

“DHS is to be commended for the extremely comprehensive, logical, and fair process it has undertaken to ensure the success of the NBAF. We will now reach out immediately to DHS to continue the momentum with the singular goal of accelerating the research mission."

Thornton also applauded the KBA-led Kansas consortium involved in the NBAF project.

“Our congressional delegation, governor, lieutenant governor, state legislature, city leaders and K-State leaders have shown amazing vision, unity, and determination,” Thornton said. “And the leadership provided by the KBA board of directors has been remarkable, both in the commitment of time and resources that have ensured Kansas will be at the center of meeting this national challenge.”

Once built, the NBAF will serve as the nation’s premier research facility for developing vaccines and countermeasures for diseases that threaten livestock and other animals, which agricultural and bioterrorism experts consider an urgent national priority.