KTKA

"This is a game-changer."

The news that the state of Kansas, specifically Manhattan, is the preferred site of the National Bio and Agro-defense facility prompted barely-controlled euphoria among state and local officials.

"NBAF is the biggest thing to happen to the Kansas economy and the structure of Kansas for the future since the formation of the Santa Fe Railroad," State Rep. Melvin Neufeld said.

Landing the facility took years of work by everyone from U.S. Senators...

"This is fantastic news," said U.S. Senator Sam Brownback.

...to the governor, state lawmakers and local officials.

It's one of those events that's off the charts," Manhattan Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Lyle Butler said.

What the state gets is a major economic boost, starting with construction of the $450 million facility. That's expected to require as many as 1,500 construction jobs. Once completed, it is expected to employ 300 people, with an annual payroll of $25 - $30 million dollars. In addition, NBAF is expected to spark a lot of new, related businesses.

"There's a lot of talk about a $500 million coming to Manhattan," Neufeld said.

"That is minute compared to the impact of the number of scientists that are going to come here," Butler said. "The payback and the economic impact is just tremendous."

Officials say the lab could have a $3.5 billion impact on the state's economy.

And it comes at a time when the news on that front has generally been bad.

"We're all looking for good news particularly when it comes to the economy," U.S. Rep. Jerry Moran said. "If this turns out to be the case, it will be a very welcome Christmas gift."