TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) Kansas officials have authorized issuing $45.4 million bonds for the next phase of construction of a new $650 million National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility in Manhattan.
Gov. Sam Brownback and legislative leaders who comprise the state finance council approved the bonds during a brief meeting Wednesday. Of the total bonds issued, $40 million will be matched with $40 million in federal funding to construct a central utilities building for the new lab.
The remaining $5.4 million will be used to demolish a grain mill on the site and rebuild it at a new location on the Kansas State University campus.
Landon Fulmer, the governor’s policy director, says the Department of Homeland Security expects to begin final site preparation and construction of the utility plant in early 2012.
Meanwhile, both Ron Trewyn, Vice President for Research at Kansas State and Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce President Lyle Butler were pleased with the news.
“Good news” is the way Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce President Lyle Butler describes word of state approval of bonds for the next phase of construction toward Manhattan’s National Bio and Agro defense facility, announced Wednesday…
Trewyn says this money will go to the central utilities building for the new lab. And eventually they’ll get started on the main portion of the project. Trewyn says work at the site is going very, very well, with permanent fencing almost completed. Holding ponds are in place and a retaining wall–also an access road.
Trewyn will be a guest on KMAN’s “In Focus” next Friday.
