Kentucky Gives Creationist Theme Park 75 Percent Tax Discount For The Next 30 Years

[The Straight Story]

Kentucky Gives Creationist Theme Park 75 Percent Tax Discount For The Next 30 Years

In May, ThinkProgress reported that Kentucky approved a $43 million tax break for Ark Encounter, a Bible-themed amusement park that religious organizations are building outside Williamstown. Now the state is giving the creationist project another kickback in the form of a 75 percent property tax discount over the next 30 years:

Mayor Rick Skinner said the offer is laid out in a memorandum of agreement that will be followed by a formal tax-increment financing deal with Petersburg-based Ark Encounters LLC in coming months.

The tax deal is in addition to almost $200,000 given to the company by Grant County’s economic development arm as an enticement to keep the project located there, along with 100 acres of reduced-price land.

And that’s not counting the state’s promise of $40 million worth of sales tax rebates and a possible $11 million in improvements to the interstate near the project that would be financed by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.

http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2011/08/10/292379/kentucky-gives-creationist-theme-park-75-percent-tax-discount-for-the-next-30-years/

[Bake]

1. It makes me want to barf

But they did it in the interest of "economic development."

Sigh.

Bake

[marmar]

2. I can't wait to ride the Man-on-Brontosaurus Coaster !!!

[Johonny]

5. Man on brontosaurus? Is it sponsored by Rick Santorum

[existentialist]

3. Do we have an entanglement of state and religion here boys and girls?

Do we also have a certifiable refutation of the maxim (and legal fiction) regarding the "wisdom of the legislature?"

[GreenPartyVoter]

7. Yes, I believe we do, and it's disgusting.

[Angry Dragon]

4. What happened to the free market system the republicans

go on about all the time??
I guess if you are a business the state will give you everything free
If I was a business in Kentucky I would go to the legislature and demand the same tax breaks

[Ezlivin]

6. How much of a tax break will RamadanLand get?

Or don't Muslim theme parks count?

[GreenPartyVoter]

8. Sorry, but if I was Jesus I would want that tax money available to help feed to the poor.

[Gidney N Cloyd]

9. But think of all the fools soon to be separated from their money this will draw to the area!

Seems like a brilliant move to me. I'd like to get the magic beans concession just outside the park...

[_ed_]

10. Kentucky subsidizes Monument to Ignorance

Is it really 2011?