GREENVILLE, S.C. - Clemson University plans to postpone the announcement of an automotive research park in Greenville until Republican Gov. Mark Sanford completes his review of the project.

Sanford spokesman Will Folks said the new governor supports the project but told Clemson officials in mid-January that he wanted 60 days to review it.

The governor is chairman of the State Budget and Control Board, which must approve a $25 million bond issue needed for the park.

Sanford said the proposed park "fits perfectly" in his administration's economic development strategy to create more high-paying jobs.

"We're very excited about the project, the economic impact it's going to have on the Upstate, and the contribution it's going to make to South Carolina's economy as a whole," the governor said in a prepared statement.

Clemson and developer Rosen Associates are putting the finishing touches on the park's master plan, said Rosen executive Tom Wells. "This is going to happen," Wells told a group of business leaders at a private briefing.

Clemson and Rosen Associates want to develop the park on 407 acres along Interstate 85 south of Greenville. Plans for the $2.6 billion project include a graduate school of automotive engineering and a wind tunnel that would serve as magnets to attract auto-related research and development facilities and the high-tech, high-paying jobs that come with them.

Clemson spokeswoman Cathy Sams said Wednesday that Sanford requested more information about the park after university officials met with him and new Commerce Secretary Bob Faith.

"We wanted to make sure we had an opportunity to give him more background information and answer any questions he might have," Sams said.

Clemson had planned to formally announce details of the park plan this month, but that has been put on hold until the governor finishes his review.

"We just don't have everything quite wrapped up like we will need to have when we say this is definitely where we're going, this is definitely what we're going to do," she said.

BMW, which has a manufacturing plant near Greer, has agreed to donate $10 million to help endow three professorships at the graduate school. Clemson also will be looking for lottery dollars and the state has allocated $12 million to build roads in the park.

"We're committed to this project and committed to taking the time to do it right," Faith said. "Both of those elements are critical if we're going to enhance the economic benefit to the Upstate economy and get the most bang for the buck in terms of the state's investment."

Information from: The Greenville News