Butner tops rankings for biolab, AP reports; can N.C. still say no to project?

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. — Even as shifting political winds have more and more politicians voicing opposition to a proposed bio-defense lab in Butner, The Associated Press is reporting new information that should heighten, not end, the debate.

According to an AP report distributed early Monday, a Department of Homeland Security review panel voted Butner as the best place to locate the National Bio- and Agro-Defense Facility.

Citing internal documents, the AP’s Larry Margasak says Butner received a score of 94.

This “score,” based on a variety of data that the federal government gathered in screening possible locations, gives ammunition to advocates who want the $451 million project built in Granville County.

Some politicians now face a tougher choice – do they join or remain part of the “no” chorus when it’s clear North Carolina could win the biolab lottery and the hundreds of jobs as well as hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funds that would come with it?

Here are the top scores as reported by Margasak:

• Granville County, N.C., 94
• San Antonio, Texas, and Manhattan, Kan., 91
• Athens, Ga., 90
• Flora, Miss., 81

The AP report focused largely on raising questions as to why Mississippi cracked the list of six finalists, given how much its score was lower than other locations.

But the fact Butner is No. 1 should raise eyebrows locally.

Advocates can seize on this information to say that North Carolina has a chance to close the deal on a project that could be an economic boon – and a tremendous boost to the state’s growing biotechnology industry.

Critics can be expected to increase their opposition because a Butner site seems closer to reality.

However, the federal government has made clear in several statements that the “message” – i.e. opposition – has been “heard” in Washington. (In fact, The Skinny wrote last week that opposition had doomed N.C.’s chances.)

It’s a shame that so many questions posed to Homeland Security about risks and, yes, security, have not been answered satisfactorily, even for some advocates.

The door apparently has not yet been closed on Butner as hearings about the project continue. Advocates may have another chance based on the AP information.

They had best not muff it.

As for the opponents, it appears the fight is far, far from over.