Rosen: I-CAR Is Open For Business

GREENVILLE, S.C. -- After more than two years of silence, the developer of Greenville's International Center for Automotive Research addressed the controversy surrounding the project.

Clifford Rosen said that the $400-million auto-research park is already open and will likely create a total of about 22,000 jobs when it is complete.

Rosen also said that he believes that the latest political roadblocks to the project will become a speed bump in the rear-view mirror.

In January, as Rosen was preparing to announce the I-CAR grand opening, Gov. Mark Sanford asked for a 60-day delay to review the project.

"We were really keeping quiet with the hopes of a grand opening in January," Rosen told WYFF News 4's Gordon Dill. "To have a big splash. Then things were put on hold in January by the governor."

So far, there have been 120 days of debate over a deal with the state that Sanford says is unfair.

"If this developer won't cut a deal that is good for the taxpayer, then we move on to a different developer or Clemson can develop it on its own," Sanford told News 4.

According to Rosen's calculations, he's spent or plans to spend many times what the state will on the project.

Rosen said that he's already closed on $11 million in land purchases for the project and has another $22 million to close on.

The first building that Rosen builds on the site will cost about $25 million, he said.

In addition, Rosen said that he has promised Clemson 20 acres of land, which he valued at $6 million.

Rosen's proposal for the wind tunnel on the property would turn it over to Clemson once his investment is paid off, which is projected to be about 30 years.

Estimates of the cost for constructing wind tunnel are as much as $50 million

According to Rosen, the state's contributions are $12 million for the road through the property and $2 million for water- and sewer-line extensions.

Rosen said that BMW has put up $25 million in grants to Clemson and other funds, which the state does not control.

Sanford's press secretary, Chris Drummond, said that the developer still has not answered questions related to the deal that Sanford raised 120 days ago.

The governor is not involved in the day-to-day negotiations, Drummond said.

Drummond referred all questions to the state Commerce Department and Secretary Bob Faith.

Faith did not return repeated calls for comment.

Some critics of Sanford's review of the project say that they are worried that he is trying to kill I-CAR.

"I think the latest move by the infrastructure bank is back-channel maneuvering by the governor's office to kill the project," Mauldin state Rep. Dan Tripp told News 4.

But Rosen said that the project is very much alive and will continue to be.

"We have a project no matter what," Rosen said. "We're open. We closed on the land. We have a marketing center. We've hired staff. We have letters of intent."

Rosen said that two companies have signed letters of intent to build at I-CAR and a third is very close.

The British Motorsports Industry Association will make Greenville its American headquarters, Rosen said, adding that no amount of controversy will stop the project from happening.

"It's a concern. It's is not something that is stopping anybody, but it is slowing people down," Rosen said. "It will slow our ability to deal. It is a development that is for all practical purposes commenced."

Previous Stories:

• May 16, 2003: State Threatens To Pull Plug On I-CAR Road
• May 14, 2003: Sanford, Greenville Disagree On I-CAR Road
• April 25, 2003: Sanford: Auto Park Negotiations Continue
• March 7, 2003: Competition Fierce For Automotive Firms
• March 6, 2003: Detroit Trip Yields Keen Interest In Auto Park
• March 6, 2003: Sanford: Auto Park Must Be Good Deal For State