Despite a cut in the Obama Administration's budget for the National Bio-and Agro-Defense Facility planned to be constructed in Manhattan, Governor Sam Brownback says he remains confident that construction will happen.
Brownback addressed the issue during a Statehouse conference Thursday, saying key players in the Obama administration, connected to the project, provided him with assurances this week(Play Audio :25 seconds)
The concern from the federal level isn't the facility itself, but the growing price tag around it(Play Audio :27 seconds)
The proposed site in Manhattan has been cleared for construction of a facility capable of researching dangerous animals diseases, and would replace the aging, existing lab at Plum Island, New York.
Under the federal plan, the Department of Homeland Security would oversee construction, while the USDA would have oversight of scientific work at the facility.
The 650-million-dollar facility is viewed by supporters as a way to create hundreds of jobs in Kansas.
The latest estimates, however, show the final price tag would be closer to 1-billion.
MOST VIEWED STORIES
Holton man killed in Jackson Co crash
Morrill pair arrested on drug, child endangerment charges
Falls City man sentenced to Federal Prison
Ground Broken for new Sac and Fox Trad'n Post
Local residents avoid injury in chain reaction crash
Jackson Co traffic stop leads to arrest
90 mph+ downburst winds blamed for Thursday damage
One held for past Atchison shooting
Horton City Clerk's resignation accepted Monday
Inmate dies at Lansing Correctional Facility
Wamego man sentenced in second fentanyl-related death
Early Thursday storms leave damage, outages, locally
Stolen trailer, 4-wheeler, recovered in Atchison
Mayetta pair arrested on meth, child endangerment charges
Mound City Mayor Duane Nauman remembered
Juveniles face charges following Atchison break-in
Brown Co Planning Commission established
LATEST STORIES
McLouth man injured in Monday wreck
Horton City Clerk's resignation accepted Monday
Atchison Co's Oswald named honorary bailiff for KS Court
Juveniles face charges following Atchison break-in
Richardson County accepted into managed call handling program
No injuries in early Sunday morning house fire in Falls City
Sabetha annual citywide cleanup Wednesday
Mayetta pair arrested on meth, child endangerment charges