
© ken ratcliff
In a bid to increase Kentucky tourism, the state has plans to support the development of a religious theme park, dubbed the 'Ark Park' for it's planned centerpiece which will be a replica of Noah's Ark. Other planned attractions include a first-century Middle Eastern Village, a Tower of Babel and a Walled City.
While the Governor of the state is focused on the economic potential of the park to create nearly 900 jobs, critics of the idea are focusing their opposition on the fact that the state should not be giving tax breaks for religious purposes. However, many residents of Grant County, where the project would be located, are in favor of the park as the unemployment rate there is near 11%. They hope it will bring new business to a dying town. The park is likely to face legal challenges over the $37 million dollar tax break, as it seems to clearly violate the constitutional separation between church and sate.


