Sanford admits fumbling communication on auto park

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"We're just as committed as we've always been" to the research park, Sanford told members of the Greater Greenville Chamber of Commerce during a downtown luncheon. "We've done a particularly poor job of communicating that, but we are behind this project."

Sanford, however, offered no apology for questioning whether Miami developer Clifford Rosen was putting enough money on the table.

"If you're putting in this many dollars, you being the state, and Clemson's putting in this many dollars, I think it would be very natural to ask a private developer, 'How many dollars are you putting in?'" Sanford said.

Rosen's company, Rosen Associates Development Inc., has been working with Clemson University to develop the park on 407 acres along Interstate 85 south of Greenville. Plans call for Clemson to operate a graduate school of automotive engineering and wind tunnel at the site. Rosen's company would profit by selling land in the park to automotive and motorsports companies attracted by Clemson's research.

In making the remarks, Sanford tried to clarify why his administration in mid-January asked for 60 days to review the project — an unexpected development that irked many business and political leaders in Greenville, including Chamber officials.

They've been working to bring a Clemson research presence to Greenville for two and a half years, and they hope the research park will create more than 20,000 high-paying jobs over time.

The governor has said his review has nothing to do with thousands of dollars that Rosen and his family members donated to the campaign of former Gov. Jim Hodges, Sanford's opponent in the November election.

Talking to reporters Tuesday, Sanford said he didn't know when the talks would wrap up.

"Let's say sooner rather than later, but you don't know what sooner is," the governor said.

Asked about the prospect of Rosen continuing to be a part of the deal, Sanford said, "Ultimately, that's in his hands more than it is ours. All we've asked folks to do is to make sure there's a fair deal.

"We'd very much like to be at that site and with that developer, but if that's not possible, then you go on to a different site and a different developer," the governor said.

Bill Thompson, president of Rosen Associates, declined comment Tuesday, except to say, "We're working with everybody to resolve everything."

Greenville Mayor Knox White, who has pressured Sanford to keep the project moving as planned, called the governor's remarks "a good, positive speech and a reaffirmation of the kind of good things we are doing in Greenville to promote economic development, including the auto park."

White said the various parties in the deal have never stopped talking.

"Sanford has his concerns, but in fairness Clemson and BMW have had the same concerns of what they need from the developer," the mayor said.

Also Tuesday, Sanford shook hands and spoke briefly to the Rev. Jesse Jackson, who arrived unexpectedly at the Hyatt Regency following the governor's remarks.

Jackson, a Greenville native and nationally known political activist, was in town to attend a meeting of Greenville County Council, which has been discussing whether to adopt a holiday in honor of slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.

During a press conference last month, Sanford said he had questions about financing, land use and the structure of the deal, but otherwise provided few details about his concerns.

The press conference followed a private meeting at Greenville City Hall that included Commerce Secretary Bob Faith, Clemson President Jim Barker, Greenville Major Knox White and other people involved in the planning, but not Rosen.

Later, Faith, attempted to clarify the administration's objections, saying the original plans called for Rosen to line up financing for the wind tunnel, but that scenario at one point was "in question."

Faith has said the gift of the wind tunnel was a "major inducement" for $12 million allocated by the State Infrastructure Bank to build roads in the park. In addition to the road money, South Carolina may provide $25 million to build the graduate school and another $15 million to endow professorships. BMW, the German automaker with a plant near Greer, has agreed to donate $10 million to endow professorships.

Faith has been negotiating with Rosen about revising Rosen's role in the development.