GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota officials kicked off a conference on unmanned aircraft systems Thursday by touting two proposals they say would make the state a global leader in civilian drone research and training.

The first one is a technology and business park known as Grand Sky, which would be the largest industrial complex in North Dakota and provide instruction for pilots, sensor operators and maintenance workers. Backers of the plan expect to finalize a contract for the facility in the next few weeks.