The Kentucky Tourism Development Finance Board has voted to approve $18 million in tax breaks for a Christian theme park project.
The Ark Encounter, a religious theme park will be built in Williamstown, and will feature a reproduction of Noah’s Ark and the Tower of Babel.
The decision has attracted some controversy as critics say offering tax incentives is tantamount to state funding of a religious ministry.
The theme park will be run by Answers in Genesis, a conservative Christian non-profit organization that also manages the Creation Museum.
Finance board chairman Keith Williams said the decision was made purely for economic reasons.
"They could produce a good amount of tourism for the state of Kentucky and help the hotel industry and the restaurant industry in the entire area," said Williams.
The incentive plan is based on the economic performance of the theme park over the next decade and tax breaks may be revoked if the project does not meet agreed economic targets.
