SPARTANBURG, S.C. - Clemson University's plans to build a 250-acre automotive research park in Greenville haven't landed much work for minority businesses.

Public and private concerns, including BMW Corp., IBM, Michelin Corp., the state Department of Commerce and the City of Greenville, have pledged more than $100 million to the International Center for Automotive Research project.

The Herald-Journal of Spartanburg obtained documents that show minority businesses carrying out at least two projects totaling approximately $165,000 for the $15 million BMW Information Technology Research Center, which has not yet been built.

"We aren't on the bargaining table when it comes to bids for the ICAR campus projects," says Henri Thompson, a Greenville-based computer services consultant. He says he bid on work for an information technology-consulting contract, but has had no response.

"I tried to reach them to find out the status of my bid, but they keep putting me off," he said.

Minorities, Thompson said, probably can only expect second- or third-tier work. "They will not give principal contracts even though there are a number of qualified minority contractors."

ICAR Executive Director Robert Geolas said the project wants minority businesses involved.

"I am personally sensitive to this issue," he said. "My feeling is, ICAR will never be a success unless we involve different communities here."

In 2003, the state Budget and Control Board allowed a portion of the project, tied to BMW Manufacturing, to operate outside some of the state's procurement rules. But that decision came after Gov. Mark Sanford, the budget board's chairman, questioned how the project would be held accountable for things including a responsibility to work with minority contractors.

At the time, BMW spokesman Bobby Hitt reassured the board, saying that minorities held one of five when BMW built its Greer plant a decade ago. Clemson also said it would adhere to state minority contractor standards in the work.

The project is working with minority business consultants to increase participation in the project, including Sheldon Peden, whose Greenville concern helps companies diversify their work force.

"We are trying to understand the system they have set up," said Peden, president of the Urban League of the Upstate Young Professionals auxiliary. "I've met with Geolas, and we are trying to figure out ways to increase diversity participation in the project."

Thompson's complaints are not the first involving the park's procurement process.

There was one incident where officials did not award a contract to a particular bidder, who then questioned the process and whether his bid had been properly handled. That bidder, Geolas said, withdrew his complaint after the procurement process was explained.