North Carolina's bid to land the $450 million National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) has many points in its favor.
A consortium of more than 30 organizations from industry, agriculture, government and academia is leading North Carolina’s bid for NBAF. The consortium’s Web site provides talking points for speakers at the scoping meeting and letter writers.
Consortium leaders are urging supporters to emphasize why the facility would thrive in North Carolina, rather than the economic benefits North Carolina would gain from the project. Competitive advantages for North Carolina include:
- A long history of public-private partnership and collaboration in science and technology
- Strong ongoing state investment in biotechnology development
- Major research universities with strength in the life sciences
- No. 3 national ranking in biotechnology, with 400+ bioscience companies employing 48,000 people
- No. 2 national ranking in agricultural biotechnology
- Highly trained workforce of scientists and technicians
- Strong community college workforce training programs
- Access to the research community in Research Triangle Park
- Experience in operating dozens of similar secure bio-research facilities
- U.S. leader in swine and poultry industries and related agribusiness
- Strong infrastructure, including highways, rail and international airports
- Experience with federal facilities: NIEHS, EPA, USDA and National Guard
- Nationally recognized for emergency management expertise
- High quality of life and low cost of living and doing business (ease of attracting and retaining talent)