April 2016 – In January, Answers in Genesis won a lawsuit against the state of Kentucky when a federal court ruled that the state’s tourism cabinet cannot exclude the group from receiving a tax incentive for its soon to open Ark Encounter theme park. (See artist rendering above.) The tax incentive given for major tourism projects that bring more visitors to the state allows sales tax rebates of 25% of development costs.
The state denied the incentive to Ark Encounter after concluding the Christian theme park was an extension of AiG’s ministry. U.S. District Judge Gregory Van Tatenhove later ruled that state officials violated the First Amendment by blocking the incentive because of AiG’s “religious purpose and message.”
AiG founder Ken Ham described the court decision as a “victory for the free exercise of religion in this country.” The Ark Encounter will open July 7 in Williamstown, Kentucky.
