KC Animal Health Corridor

Local leaders on task force

By Rachael Bossow
Leavenworth Times
1/31/07

Area leaders are working to bring a national biodefense facility to Kansas as members of the Kansas National Bio- and Agro-defense Facility Task Force, which was recently established by Gov. Kathleen Sebelius.

Charlie Gregor, executive vice president of the Leavenworth-Lansing Area Chamber of Commerce, and Laura Gasbarre, Leavenworth mayor, were named to the task force.

Two sites in Kansas are currently under consideration for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s planned $451 million, 500,000 square-foot lab. A site in northern Leavenworth County near Fort Leavenworth could be utilized for the lab. A facility already constructed in Manhattan is the other Kansas location.

“We already have outstanding assets, ranging from private sector firms like Hill’s and Bayer, to government institutions like the new food security facility at K-State. Kansas has a strong case to make for bringing the planned federal lab to our state,” Sebelius said.

After construction of the facility, it is estimated it will employ 500 workers. With 13 other states in the running for the biodefense facility, the task force is designed to show that Kansas has the infrastructure, assets and workforce to host the lab. The facility is projected to have a $3.5 billion economic impact on the state over 20 years.

According to U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts, the facility will fill a gap in the nation’s bio- and agro-research plan.

“Securing this new federal laboratory would allow us to continue to act as a pioneer in scientific discovery on the world stage, while also producing major economic benefits here at home in the form of job creation and investment,” Roberts said.

The new facility would replace the Plum Island facility, the federal government’s most secure location for animal disease research.

Roberts was tapped as honorary chairman of the task force, with co-chairmen Lt. Gov. Mark Parkinson and Dan Glickman, former secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

“We are fortunate to have world-renowned expertise in the animal health arena at Kansas State University and through the numerous animal health companies located in the Kansas City area,” Roberts said.

Gregor said he believes he was asked to serve on the task force because of his previous service on the Governor’s Military Council during the Base Realignment and Closure process.

“It’s an honor, but it’s also a little bit overwhelming,” Gregor said. “It requires work to get up to speed.”

The task force also includes a number of industry, research and education leaders, along with producers and public officials. Gregor said he hoped to represent the Leavenworth and Lansing area and bring support from the business community to the task force while trying to enhance Leavenworth County as a potential site.

“Once (Homeland Security) looks at the environment Kansas has to offer in terms of our value system and our willingness to do what is necessary to make things happen, our chances are good if not better than the others,” Gregor said.

The Department of Homeland Security has narrowed the field to 18 sites in 14 states, with several states having more than one site for the facility.

“With this particular facility, the economic impact is incredible,” Gregor said. “It would bring a great deal of national attention to Leavenworth and lend greatly to the prestige of the community. It would piggyback on the reputation of the Command and General Staff College and the Combined Arms Center.”

Gasbarre said she was excited about being a member of the task force.

“I think it’s great,” Gasbarre said. “I do feel the fact that Kansas has two sites is extraordinary. There are so many plusses for the state.”

The Leavenworth City Commission reportedly sent a letter to the Heartland Bio-Ag Consortium last year supporting a biodefense facility in Leavenworth County.

“The Midwest is a perfect place for this type of research,” Gasbarre said.

For more information, contact:
Lynn Parman
Vice President, Life Sciences & Technology
Kansas City Area Development Council
2600 Commerce Tower
911 Main Street
Kansas City, Missouri 64105-2049
Direct: 816.374.5627
Email: parman@thinkKC .com