Will state ante up to be hub for research?
BYLINE: By Rachel Melcer ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
Missouri's once-in-a-lifetime chance to become home to federal research centers for biofuels and agriculture defense could hinge on funding decisions being made this month by state lawmakers, say research and business leaders.
Unlike its competitors, Missouri has not committed any money of its own to woo $125 million in federal spending for a biofuels research center and $450 million in federal spending for a facility focused on biological threats to animals and humans.
Either center would bring hundreds of millions of dollars in economic activity. But Missouri funds are knotted up in an unrelated debate over stem cell research.
"The science is so solid here, that gets us into the finals. ... But local and state incentives come into play. When other states are putting up tremendous incentive packages, we really want Missouri to start to be at the table," said Kelly Gillespie, executive director of the Missouri Biotechnology Association, a trade group.
Gov. Matt Blunt proposes putting up cash from the Life Science Trust Fund, a pot created in 2003 to receive 25 percent of the state's annual tobacco settlement money beginning last year.
But that fund is embroiled in controversy over embryonic stem cell research, and appropriation is uncertain. Some lawmakers fear that money allotted to the trust fund will be diverted to stem cell research. For that reason, no money was put into the trust fund last year.
The federal centers "are once-in-a-generation opportunities that we need to put on the ground in Missouri. ... But we may be harmed in our efforts to get them if these dollars don't come through," said Mike Mills, Missouri's deputy director of economic development.
"It's unfortunate and frustrating that nearly every program and dollar that is proposed that has to do with research and development - even if it's destined for nonhuman research - has been destined for opposition," he said.
If fully funded, the trust fund would receive $35.7 million of the state's $21 billion budget this year. Blunt's administration proposes spending $5 million of that on the Department of Homeland Security agriculture-defense facility, and $10 million for the Department of Energy Bioenergy Research Center, if Missouri should win either one. The rest of the fund would be dedicated to other agriculture-related research and economic development projects.
The proposed funding would be modest compared with that planned by other states. For example, Illinois is offering to construct a new building and spend tens of millions of dollars for the bioenergy center.
The Missouri House of Representatives last week reduced the money for the trust fund to $13.5 million - and that would be meant to cover not only the federal centers, but all of the state's agricultural biotech programs.
The Senate could begin debating the trust fund appropriation today. Observers say an increase over the House spending level is unlikely - and some expect the fund will be cut altogether, which means no money for either federal research center.
"My read on the General Assembly now is that the level approved by the House ... may be as much as could be expected in this session," said John Gardner, vice president for research and economic development at the University of Missouri system.
Rep. Jim Lembke, R-Mehlville, a leading anti-abortion advocate who voted against the House appropriation, said he expects the Senate will leave "next to no money, if not no money" for the trust fund.
The University of Missouri-Columbia is leading the bid for the $450 million agriculture defense center and would house it, bearing the cost of preparing facilities if no money comes from lawmakers, Gardner said.
The National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility would provide cutting-edge research into human and animal disease. Its focus would include dealing with a potential avian flu pandemic, bioterrorism attacks and trade-threatening pathogens such as mad cow disease. An analysis by the Carl Vinson Institute of Government estimates its 20-year economic impact to the region that houses it at $3.5 billion.
MU also is part of the bioenergy research consortium led by Washington University. At stake is $125 million in federal funding over five years for a center to be built in the Cortex biotech business corridor of St. Louis and paid for by Washington University and private donors.
The Bioenergy Research Center, while smaller in federal spending, would galvanize the budding efforts of local businesses and research centers, said Himadri Pakrasi, director of the bioenergy initiative at Washington University.
A federal bioenergy research center would become a hub for cutting-edge startup companies, leading scientists and major corporations, Pakrasi said. The two or three centers being established by the Energy Department will lead the nation in developing ethanol made from switchgrass and corn stover, along with other types of renewable fuels.
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WHAT'S AT STAKE
Missouri is competing for two federal research centers, which would bring high-paying jobs, top scientists and the opportunity to spin out innovative technologies into new businesses.
National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility, a Department of Homeland Security center to research biological threats to animals, humans.
The University of Missouri-Columbia leads a group including Washington University, St. Louis University and the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center. From an initial 29, it is among 18 states still in the running.
Proposed state funding: $5 million
Timeline: Competition is narrowed in June; and decision due October 2008.
Bioenergy Research Center, one of possibly three to receive $125 million from the Department of Energy.
Washington University leads a group of 14 research institutes; the National Corn Growers Association; and 11 industrial partners including Monsanto, Ameren, Emerson, Anheuser-Busch, Peabody Energy, Arch Coal, Solae and Bunge North America.
Proposed state funding: $10 million annually for five years
Timeline: Decision due in July; center to be operational by 2009.