Bonds issued to help state clinch federal lab

TOPEKA, KAN. — To demonstrate the state's commitment to housing a federal bio-security laboratory, the Kansas governor signed legislation to issue $105 million in bonds.

Six states are competing for the $451-million National Bio and Agri-Defense Facility (NBAF), slated to have a $1.5 billion economic impact over 20 years and create 1,000 to 1,500 construction jobs and 250 to 350 permanent jobs.

The estimated cost to Kansas could reach $105 million for land, roads, parking, security fencing and a utility plant if Kansas State University's Manhattan campus is selected for the NBAF project.

The Department of Homeland Security is to choose a site in October. The other contenders are: Athens, Ga.; San Antonio, Texas; Granville County, N.C.; Madison County, Miss.; and an existing laboratory site at Plum Island, N.Y.