The prospect of bringing a $451 million National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility -- NBAF -- to Kansas State University has put the university and Manhattan into the national spotlight. From the campus perspective, here are the facts about NBAF, and what a boon it could be to K-State and the Manhattan community.
What is the NBAF?
Kansas State University, Manhattan, is one of five places the Department of Homeland Security is looking at building the 520,000 square foot lab to replace an aging facility in Plum Island, New York.
Where would it be located?
The NBAF facility is proposed to be built to the east of the existing Biosecurity Research Institute.
How does the NBAF differ from Kansas State University's Biosecurity Research Institute?
Research at the NBAF will be very similar to that anticipated at the BRI, except for the higher biocontainment level. In fact, already having the BRI up and running could increase K-State's chances of landing the facility, because NBAF research could get a head start at the BRI while NBAF is being built. Plus, K-State already has experience building a quality, high-security biocontainment facility.
What kind of safety precautions will be taken to protect the lab's employees and the rest of the community?
Much like the BRI, which has strict regulations, redundant air and electrical systems, and a mechanism to treat waste before it enters the municipal sewer system, the NBAF will be a high security, world-class lab. Scientists who work there will be rigorously trained and supervised by experienced staff. Scientists will be required to follow strict protocol for entering and exiting labs, and will have special protective clothing to wear while they work. According to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, no Biosecurity level 3 or Biosecurity level 4 facility in the U.S. has had a recorded incident of community contamination.
What are the benefits to Kansas State University and Manhattan should we land the facility?
Researchers at NBAF will develop solutions to the world's problems when it comes to food safety and security. And what better place to put such a facility than at K-State, where a nexus of scientific expertise already exists. Putting NBAF here will reinforce K-State's leadership in animal health and food safety and security, and it will pave the way for future collaboration and growth. The facility will bring more than 250 high-level scientific jobs, create more than 1,000 jobs during construction and is projected to pump $3.5 billion into the economy over the next 20 years.
Next steps?
K-State, as well as the other sites, are in the Environmental Impact Study stage. Plum Island, where this research is currently taking place is also considered a "reasonable alternative," however the facility is aging and security concerns there are what prompted this entire process.
During the EIS period, there will be several public comment meetings during which the scope of the environmental study will be framed.
K-State's and Manhattan's scoping meeting is at 6 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 28 in Forum Hall, K-State Student Union. Officials from the Department of Homeland Security will be present to answer questions and take comments from the public. To pre-register, point your web browser to www.dhs.gov/nbaf and click on "Public Involvement" near the bottom. There it gives you instructions on what information to include in an e-mail to nbafprogrammanager@dhs.gov. You can also call 866-501-NBAF to sign up.