GREENVILLE - The Commerce Department says a deal is near on creating an automotive research park.

"Everything is not signed yet, but everything is basically poised to be signed," said Commerce Department spokeswoman Clare Morris.

Morris says state officials, Clemson University, BMW and Miami-based Rosen Associates Development Inc. have reached an understanding on developing the park.

They're waiting to complete paperwork before announcing the deal, probably in October, she said.

The research park, in the works for two years, was dealt a setback this year after Gov. Mark Sanford questioned how much Rosen Associates was willing to put into the deal. The company controls 407 acres along Interstate 85, where the park is planned.

Sanford has said he still supports the project, which early estimates said would cost $2.6 billion and create as many as 20,000 jobs.

Clemson's plans for the park include a graduate school of automotive engineering as well as a wind tunnel or other research facility that would attract automotive and motorsports companies or companies that serve those two industries.

Other companies have said they are considering ties to the park, including Greenville-based Michelin North America and Microsoft Corp.