‘No state is more united’

The Clarion-Ledger, 8/6/8

Mississippi’s enthusiasm could give it an edge in securing a $450 million Homeland Security laboratory, officials say.

Hundreds of people attended a public hearing Tuesday in Flora on the proposed National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility. The general sentiment from the crowd was positive.

“Most of these people are here because they support it,” Flora Mayor Scott Greaves said.

The town is among six finalists for the lab, which will study animal diseases.

“This is a gigantic opportunity – not only for Flora and central Mississippi but for the whole state,” Gov. Haley Barbour said.