THE NBAF BELONGS IN KANSAS

Kansas offers unparalleled value with both the intellectual and physical assets needed to advance the NBAF mission most effectively and quickly. The state’s agricultural heritage, smart workforce, visionary leaders, intellectual strength, transportation network, and central location make it well suited for the challenges of a national bioscience project focused on food safety, animal health, and human health.

Unique Understanding of the NBAF Mission
Kansas knows the safety and security of our national food supply is central to our nation’s public health and the stability of the economy.

• Nearly 20 percent of Kansans are employed in agriculture, so we care deeply and personally about protecting our nation’s agriculture.
• Kansas is located in the center of the country and is home to numerous private agricultural assets, research facilities, specialists, and academic institutions.
• Because of its agricultural heritage and expertise, Kansas fully understands why this facility is a top priority for the nation: We need to identify new ways to prevent and treat diseases that affect public health, animal health, and our food supply.

The World’s Leader in Animal Health Research and Development
Our state and region do this kind of research better than anyone in the world.

• Kansas State University has internationally recognized expertise in zoonotic diseases, infectious diseases, and livestock medicine. This expertise led to the creation of the Biosecurity Research Institute (BRI) and the National Agricultural Biosecurity Center at K-State.
• Manhattan is part of the Kansas City Animal Health Corridor (www.kcanimalhealth.com), which is home to more than 120 animal health companies — including 37 global leaders — that employ 13,000 animal-health specialists.
• The NBAF would benefit from the expertise within the biosciences corridor that includes the Kansas City Area Life Sciences Institute, Midwest Research Institute, the Stowers Institute for Medical Research, and the University of Kansas Medical Center.
• The region has an exceptional student population and highly trained work force. Five universities with strong animal-science or veterinary medical research programs are located within a 300-mile radius.

An Unbeatable Site
Kansas is offering the perfect site for the NBAF in close proximity to other research and commercialization assets.

• The NBAF would be located on 59 acres on the northern end of the K-State campus. An additional 70 acres nearby is used for animal-health purposes and is available for handling livestock and other purposes. These properties are owned by the state for use by K-State.
• A 30-acre or larger parcel adjacent to the BRI is available if needed.
• A preliminary environmental assessment found no significant environmental concerns with the site.
• Kansas has demonstrated an unprecedented legislative commitment to biosciences through the creation of the Kansas Bioscience Authority, which is investing heavily in animal-health research and commercialization.
• Industry partners in the area have significant vaccine research capabilities as well as containment assets and expertise.

The Best Neighbor
Kansas is uniquely qualified for the NBAF because it has scientific assets and expertise that can be applied immediately. The Biosecurity Research Institute would be the NBAF’s neighbor and would accelerate NBAF research that is key to ensuring the safety of our national food supply.

• The BRI’s focus is on infectious foreign-animal diseases requiring high-level BSL-3 and BSL-3 Ag containment.
• The BRI provides the capabilities to deal with significant numbers of large animals for the effective research, development, testing, and evaluation of threat agent countermeasures of importance to the nation. The BRI’s ability to handle these animals in a high-level biocontainment environment provides DHS with a unique national asset to move quickly towards the BSL-4 requirements of the NBAF.
• No other state in the U.S. has a comparable state-of-the-art facility with the BRI’s capabilities and homeland-security mission emphasis. In addition, none of the competitors can match the BRI’s food-animal expertise.
• The presence of the BRI ensures the availability, sustainability, and capabilities of scientists who are acknowledged leaders in medical, veterinary, and agricultural research.
• The synergies between the BRI and the NBAF present a tremendous opportunity for the recruitment and retention of research and technical personnel.

Unified Public- and Private-Sector Support
Federal, state, and local officials are working in close collaboration with representatives from the public and private sectors to demonstrate broad, deep, and unified support for the NBAF.

• The state’s impressive NBAF in Kansas Task Force, created by Gov. Kathleen Sebelius and led by U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts, Lt. Gov. Mark Parkinson, and former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Dan Glickman, is working to demonstrate Kansas’ expertise and commitment to the NBAF mission. The task force is augmented by a high-level governmental working group set up to respond quickly to the needs of the Department of Homeland Security throughout the site selection process.
• People and organizations across Kansas are united in favor of this project — from local communities to state and federal officials, from academic centers and research institutes to private business leaders and key agriculture producer groups.

Safe and Secure
Kansas provides a safe, secure home for the NBAF.

• The NBAF will be completely self-contained and isolated.
• Its state-of-the-art labs will not only protect researchers, but also ensure the safety of the community.
• All research animals are contained entirely within the facility, and all waste materials are sterilized and strictly regulated.
• All employees working at the facility will be strictly supervised by experts in foreign-animal and zoonotic diseases.