WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) – Purdue University plans to create a 980-acre aerospace district in West Lafayette.

University President Mitch Daniels says the Purdue Research Park Aerospace District will include public and private research facilities. He called it Tuesday “one of the most comprehensive and important enterprises we have undertaken.''

Purdue aviation technology graduate Scott Niswonger and the Purdue Research Foundation will purchase Lafayette Aviation as part of the project. Lafayette Aviation will be renamed Purdue Aviation. The district also will include the Purdue University Airport and Maurice J. Zucrow Laboratories.

The Indiana Economic Development Corporation has named the site an Indiana Certified Technology Park.