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Moreover, the state had given no single group responsibility for convincing residents that a research lab with the potential to handle deadly pathogens would be something the community needed. Opponents say they think the lab's risks outweigh any possible benefit.

Officially, the application for the lab was made by the N.C. Consortium for the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility. The group is made up of officials from universities, biotech companies, agriculture industry groups and government agencies.

Supporters say the lab could make the Triangle an international research hub when the work of its scientists are combined with the work already done at local universities and companies.

Warwick Arden, dean of the N.C. State University College of Veterinary Medicine, makes that pitch often. He was the group's de facto spokesman for months and still fills the role at times.

The consortium has also used the Raleigh communications firm Capstrat to handle some events. And the UNC system became involved once the North Carolina site made the list of five finalists.

The result: No one group controlled the project.

"I feel passionate that this project is a good thing for this state, and I will talk with anyone to convince them of that, but we have our day jobs, too," Arden said.

Given how quickly opposition formed against the project, Arden said he isn't sure what else could have been done.

But once the surprise of being confronted by opponents wore off, it was clear that supporters couldn't match the grass-roots efforts of GNAT. It's now nearly impossible to go about daily life in southern Granville without encountering "no bio-lab" yard signs or pleas for help tacked to business doors.

Arden doesn't begrudge opponents their right to protest. Supporters, after all, had the stage to themselves for months.

But charges leveled against the lab stretch the truth at times. Other claims are just wrong.

"And if that is the basis upon which people decide they don't want this research facility, that would be a shame," Arden said.

The Department of Homeland Security is scheduled to decide where to build the laboratory before the end of this year.

Though the proposal hasn't triggered the same amount of opposition in every state, supporters and opponents both talk about the possibility of a lawsuit once a selection is made.

The attorneys will take it from there: Opponents on one side of the argument and supporters on the other.

No surprises.

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