Kansas Bioscience Authority and NBAF

Press Release

Kansas Bioscience Authority and NBAF

At the annual meeting in Washington, DC, Senator Roberts met with members of the Kansas Bioscience Authority (KBA) including many state officials including the Governor, the Kansas Congressional Delegation, and leaders from the state universities about KBA's recent efforts to promote bioscience in Kansas. The top issue discussed was the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) now being built at Kansas State University, which will be the nation's premier research center to protect American food supply and agriculture economy. The current NBAF lab on Plum Island, New York, is aging, being phased out and moved to KSU. The Administration has demonstrated building the new NBAF is a priority and we are staying on schedule.

"As Honorary Chairman of the Kansas NBAF Task Force, we can really be proud of our teamwork that proved Kansas was the best site for this lab. With KBA's help, we had a unity of effort from the federal to the local level, across parties, with private partners and community leaders to bring this tremendous opportunity to the people of Kansas that will have a $3.5 billion impact on the Kansas economy. Thank you to all these leaders for your strong commitment to NBAF and Kansas' research capabilities in bioscience, which will lead to a stronger economy for our state for generations to come," Senator Roberts said.

Additionally, Kansas State University recently earned a "Center of Excellence" designation by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for Zoonotic and Animal Disease Defense. Kansas State will share the designation with Texas A&M University, with Kansas State taking the lead on Biological Research and Education Programs and receiving $2 million per year for 6 years. Kansas State was one of three universities competing for the designation through a three-step process that involved external peer review, internal subject matter expert review and site visits.

"Once again, Kansas State has proven that our state is a leader in animal disease research. Kansas State has worked hard to earn this honor. I am proud of their efforts to further our national security," Roberts said.

For more information on NBAF, visit http://www.nbafinkansas.org/ and for more information on the KBA, visit: http://www.kansasbioauthority.org/.

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