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Aug. 10, 2006

NC State-Led Consortium Advances to Next Stage of Competitive Process to Attract National Bio- and Agro-Defense Facility

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

A consortium of North Carolina universities, government agencies and private sector partners led by North Carolina State University has advanced to the next phase in a competitive process held by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to select the site for a new research facility that would address national agricultural and biological defense interests.

DHS made the announcement Aug. 9.

The proposed 500,000 square-foot National Bio- and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) is envisioned as a new integrated human and animal disease research center with diagnostic, development and testing capabilities that would strengthen animal and public health against emerging and foreign disease threats. More than 250 research scientists, technicians and support staff will be engaged in research and development for diagnostic tests, drugs and vaccines.

According to the call for proposals, selection of the site will be based on availability of medical, veterinary, agricultural and public-health programs; research and biomanufacturing capabilities; a trained workforce; supporting infrastructure; easy access to highways and airports; and community support. The facility would be built on about 30 acres. Several sites across the state would be considered for locating the facility, should it be awarded to North Carolina. 

“This important facility would provide a positive economic benefit for our state,” said NC State Chancellor James Oblinger. “According to DHS, the facility would bring $450 million to North Carolina in construction alone, with the potential for the facility to generate several billion dollars over its first 20 years. Our achievements in food safety, animal disease and other critical research make us a natural leader in this effort.”

“North Carolina not only meets the criteria established by the government, but the state also possesses unique leadership strengths in the areas of biomedical, plant and animal agricultural enterprises, and premier science and technology parks,” said Dr. Warwick Arden, dean of NC State’s College of Veterinary Medicine, the consortium’s lead partner. “NC State and its consortium partners provide the veterinary expertise, research science, and national and international contacts needed to successfully contribute to such a large project. Since the 1950s, the state has made a commitment to providing the infrastructure and resources to become a world leader in biomedical and information technology, and our communities have developed and prospered from this foresight. Dynamic collaborations are the norm between our universities, industries and government partners.”

Sen. Elizabeth Dole stated “I am delighted to learn that the Department of Homeland Security will strongly consider North Carolina as a potential site for the NBAF. I believe that our state is the ideal location for this facility and that’s why I asked Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff to bring the NBAF to our state. Should North Carolina be selected, the NBAF would leverage our strong biotechnology and health research industries at our outstanding universities and health research centers.”

“This project has a lot of support from local leaders,” Rep. Brad Miller (N.C.-13) said. “They see it as a boon to the North Carolina economy. I’m very encouraged that our state has made it this far in the process.”

Twenty-four consortia submitted proposals for the NBAF at the end of March 2006. North Carolina has passed the first level of review, and is now one of 14 consortia still under evaluation. Over the next few months, these consortia will be answering additional queries from DHS, which will further narrow the list of competitors. From that point, DHS plans on site visits to help determine the final 2 or 3 competitors for in-depth review. Final selection will likely occur in 2008.