The Department of Homeland Security is looking at Butner for a new National Bio- and Agro-Defense Facility. Elected leaders say the lab would be good for the economy.
BUTNER, N.C. -- The Umstead Research Farm along Old 75 Highway could become home to the Dept. of Homeland Security's National Bio- and Agro-Defense Facility. Researchers would use the lab to examine dangerous animal diseases such as foot and mouth disease and swine fever.
Longtime Butner resident Jan Harris is opposed to such a plan.
"If it is located here, not only will our safety be threatened, our peace of mind will be as well," Harris explained.
Officials promises the lab would be safe wherever it is located. Butner is one of five sites in the running. Other sites are in Texas, Georgia, Kansas and Mississippi.
"There are many layers of redundancy,” said Jamie Johnson, who is with Homeland Security. “There are backup systems. We treat everything before it comes out. No matter where we put it, it's going to be a safe facility."
It is a facility Sen. Richard Burr and other elected leaders hope will come to North Carolina. The lawmakers say the lab would bring hundreds of jobs to Butner and more than a $1 billion to the state's economy over the next 20 years.
"This is an explosion of research and development,” said Burr, a Republican who represents North Carolina. “It is truly an opportunity for future generations to stay here and work."
"This facility will bring in a lot of jobs -- highly skilled, highly educated jobs," added Rep. Brad Miller, a Democrat from North Carolina’s 13th district.
Still Butner residents like Jan Harris are not sold.
"You can't deliver on your promise of safety," Harris said.
Officials will consider the public comments gathered in Butner when making their final decision, which they are scheduled to do next year.