Perdue, lawmakers press Georgia's case for biolab

Gov. Sonny Perdue joined with most of Georgia's congressional delegation to present a united front in the state's bid to win a national biodefense lab near the University of Georgia.

Perdue and others met with Homeland Security and Agriculture Department officials Thursday as well as key lawmakers overseeing the project to promote the Georgia proposal, which is competing with four other sites.

In a press conference on Capitol Hill, the leaders said Athens will win the project if the competition is judged on merits.

The $450 million Homeland Security project would house at least 300 lab-related jobs, with research focused on some of the most lethal biological threats, including deadly animal diseases and bioterrorism threats through the nation's food supply.

(The Associated Press)

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