Public Meeting
6 p.m., Sept. 18
South Granville High School
701 N. Crescent Drive, Creedmoor
To speak at the meeting, contact:
Susan A. Carroll
Assistant to the Dean
College of Veterinary Medicine
N.C. State University
919-513-6210
Send direct written comments via:
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Science and Technology Directorate
James V. Johnson, Mail Stop #2100
245 Murray Lane, SW; Building 410
Washington, DC 20528
Toll Free:
Fax: 1-866-508-NBAF (6223)
Voice Mail: 1-866-501-NBAF (6223)
North Carolina's bid to land the $450 million National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) could use a boost from the state's biotechnology community Sept. 18 when the federal government hosts a public "scoping" meeting in Granville County to gauge public support for locating the research lab near Butner.
Biotechnology company executives, university scientists and others are urged to attend the meeting and speak or write in favor of North Carolina's advantages.
A good showing is very important for us," said Dr. Warwick Arden, head of North Carolina's effort to attract NBAF. Earlier scoping meetings in other states had little or no participation by industry, and "I think that's where we can shine on the 18th," said Arden, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine at N.C. State University."
Meeting Details
The scoping meeting will start at 6 p.m. at South Granville High School, located at 701 N. Crescent Drive in Creedmoor. Speakers can register in advance by contacting Susan Carroll using the information on the right.
Written comments can also be submitted at the scoping meeting or be mailed or emailed to the Department of Homeland Security by Sept. 28.
Authors should include their name, address, organization information (if applicable) and email address.
Background
North Carolina is one of five finalists for NBAF along with Georgia, Kansas, Mississippi and Texas. The Department of Homeland Security is conducting scoping meetings in each of the states as part of an overall study of the project's physical, human and cultural impact. Strong public support for the facility is one of four criteria for selecting an NBAF site along with research capabilities in human and veterinary medicine, technical workforce and proximity to infrastructure.
The facility would create up to 1,500 construction jobs over four years. Once operational, it would employ between 250 and 500 scientists, technicians and administrative staff, and impact North Carolina's economy by as much as $1.65 billion during its first 20 years, according to a North Carolina Department of Commerce study.
A scoping meeting in Kansas drew about 300 people, and North Carolina would like to surpass that number. The auditorium at South Granville High School in Creedmoor will hold about 700, and it's important to fill as many of those seats as possible, Arden said.
A consortium of more than 30 organizations from industry, agriculture, government and academia is leading North Carolina's bid for NBAF. The consortium Web site provides summarized talking points for speakers at the scoping meeting and for those who want to write letters.
Read more about NBAF and its potential benefit for North Carolina.
