Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership

Chamber Confidential

www.metrochamber.com

Volume 3, Number 8 

COMMUNITY SUPPORT NECESSARY FOR BIO AND AGRODEFENSE FACILITY

On Monday of this week, Governor Barbour announced Mississippi’s intent to attract the Department of Home Land Security’s new National Bio and Agrodefense Facility to our state.  This new national laboratory will replace and enhance the current capabilities that exist at Plum Island Animal Disease Center, and will provide capability for licensing new medical countermeasures against bioterrorism agents.  The five-hundred-thousand-square-foot structure will have highly compensated employment of 400 people.  Construction costs alone will be $500 million.

Joining Governor Barbour as members of the team involved in this project are: Senator Thad Cochran, Senator Trent Lott, Congressman Bennie Thompson, Congressman Chip Pickering, the Mississippi Development Authority, the Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership , and the MetroJackson Economic Development Alliance.  Also essential to the team is the consortium of Battelle Memorial Institute, University of Mississippi, Mississippi State University, University of Mississippi Medical Center and Jackson State University.

There are currently three sites that have been chosen by outside expert consultants.  These sites include East Metropolitan Center Industrial Park in Brandon, J.C. “Sonny” McDonald Park south of Jackson, and the Flora Industrial Park.  These are three strong site offerings in Hinds, Madison and Rankin Counties.  The final decision on the site will be in the hands of the Department of Homeland Security. 

While there are many wonderful attributes of this project, possibly the most intriguing is how this facility would catapult our area into the national spotlight of the Bio Technology industry sector.  The NBAF will be a magnet for bringing additional biotech firms to wherever it locates.  Mississippi would clearly experience a biotech boom.  Additionally, the research funding at our existing universities would be greatly enhanced. 

So how do we make this facility a reality?  The answer is get involved! Public support is one of the major ingredients in landing the National Bio and Agrodefense Facility in our community. 

Intelligent people should and will have questions about this project.  If you get involved, you will have your questions answered and be able to communicate the facts to your friends and neighbors.  This is a very safe facility and we want you to hear and understand that for yourself.   Over the coming months, vocal support from citizen groups, civic clubs and individuals from across our region will need to be heard.  Elected Officials and Economic Development professionals are important, but on this project the successful outcome depends on each of you.

The Metro Chamber is organizing the grassroots effort.  We have the experts who have been deeply involved in guiding our project to this point and are ready and willing to speak to any gathering large or small.  Call us today to get information or schedule a meeting with our team of qualified speakers on animal disease research and countermeasures against bioterrorism.

We hope all of you will become informed and engaged with this incredible opportunity!

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