San Antonio Business Journal
Published: 10-13-08
Gov. Rick Perry has joined with San Antonio leaders in a unified effort to help sell the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on the merits of placing its planned National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility in the Alamo City.
Texas is committing more than $100 million to the effort including $56 million that the governor and other top state officials have pledged to secure through the legislative appropriations process in the upcoming session.
Supporters of the NBAF project say it will establish a next-generation biological and agricultural defense facility to replace an aging animal disease research facility at Plum Island N.Y. Experts at the proposed facility are expected to research high-risk biological threats and help protect the nation’s agriculture infrastructure and food supply against bioterrorism.
State and local leaders in San Antonio have committed funding for the NBAF project from various sources including the Texas Enterprise Fund Texas Emerging Technology Fund Texas Workforce Commission city of San Antonio Bexar County CPS Energy the San Antonio Economic Development Foundation and AT&T Inc.
“As a state with an innovative business culture and robust biotechnology industry Texas is uniquely suited to host this facility” Perry says.
“San Antonio provides unique advantages including its skilled workforce scientific community and transportation infrastructure that will provide the facility the resources it needs to fulfill its vital role in our national defense.”
Perry says that if Texas lands the NBAF project it would raise the reputation of the state — and especially San Antonio — as a major scientific research center.
Supporters say that over a 10-year period the NBAF facility would attract an estimated 2000 new direct and indirect jobs to the San Antonio area.
Texas is competing with Mississippi Kansas Georgia and North Carolina to win the NBAF project. The Department of Homeland Security is expected to make its decision by the end of the year.
W. Scott Bailey San Antonio Business Journal
