Raleigh, N.C. — A public hearing is set for Tuesday to discuss a national biodefense lab that could go up in Butner.
The national Bio and Agro-Defense facility would sit on the Umstead Research Farm. Scientists could study deadly diseases like ebola, avian flu and anthrax in Butner. Some believe the community's proximity to top universities, RDU International Airport and Research Triangle Park make it the perfect area for a high-level research lab.
Officials said the lab would require the highest level of security, but since Butner is already home to 16 state and federal institutions, proponents said they believe securing the lab will not be an issue.
The facility is expected to bring 1,500 construction jobs and 500 permanent positions. In addition to the jobs, the facility could generate $6 billion over the next 20 years.
The public hearing on the lab is scheduled for 6 p.m. at South Granville High in Creedmoor. Texas, Kansas, Mississippi and Georgia are also in the running to get the lab. The government is not expected to pick a site until 2008.



![[READ STORY]](http://wwwcache.wral.com/asset/news/national_world/national/2013/05/14/12445890/12446751-1368816960-100x75.jpg)
![[VIEW PAGE]](http://wwwcache.wral.com/asset/news/local/2013/05/13/12441232/hahn-100x75.jpg)
![[VIEW PAGE]](http://wwwcache.wral.com/asset/traffic/2009/07/23/5645694/beltline-100x75.jpg)
![[GALLERY]](http://wwwcache.wral.com/asset/entertainment/2013/03/04/12182235/12182236-1362457268-100x75.jpg)
![[VIEW PAGE]](http://wwwcache.wral.com/asset/weather/2010/08/30/8212390/8362364-1286459151-100x75.jpg)
![[VIEW PAGE]](http://wwwcache.wral.com/asset/weather/2007/07/30/1649447/1649447-1209833775-100x75.jpg)


WRAL.com welcomes your comments on this story. All comments are moderated prior to publication based on our posting guidelines. Please review them prior to posting and if your message is not approved.
This story is closed for comments. Comments on WRAL.com news stories are accepted and moderated between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Monday through Friday.
September 18, 2007 2:54 p.m.
NO I do not want this virus here being studied. Keep it close to the patients so they can test the results of their experiments..I still say our united states manufactures are so anxious to send our plants overseas to get by cheaper, so move on down the road. I don't want you in my backyard....This is strictly my opinion...
September 18, 2007 2:52 p.m.
September 18, 2007 2:51 p.m.
I'd be more worried about nukes flying overhead on unscheduled, and unauthorized B-52 flights than I would be over a possible bio-hazmat situation from such a facility as they're proposing.
September 18, 2007 2:50 p.m.
The reason we bring facilities here is to study these things more effectively. We can much better control security here than we can in Africa, which is then only a short plane ride away from the US for a terrorist or infected carrier.
After seeing how sloppy the security was, even in Raleigh, I still prefer it be in Africa. I don't like the idea that we will hve the ebola virus i our backyard. I rather it be in another country. America is not the safest place as you think. This is just my opinion..After Prime time, I was floored at what I saw. If this research center is guarded as the ones they showed across America in several states, God help us..I wish they're reshow that program. I would feel safe only if this place was in Area 51 they guard so well...
September 18, 2007 2:45 p.m.