it s for profit and privately funded. the democratic governor said the government is very excited about it and explained why. let me express why state government and local officials in not just grant county but the numerous surrounding counties are so excited. the numbers alone tell the tale. this is a $150 million investment that is projected to create nearly 900 jobs, including almost 550 full-time jobs. all right, certainly a lot of jobs. local reports say there s about 12% unemployment in the area. here s what we know who is behind the theme park. a group called ark encounter llc is partnering with answers in genesis, which built the creation museum. with exhibits from pages of the bible. we don t know who specifically is investing in the ark encounter project or how much it will get in tax incentives. state officials estimate the
is too close for comfort when there s a religious park being built and the government is helping at all? it s an interesting debate. it s an emotional one. i spoke with senior legal analyst jeffrey toobin and barry lynn, the founder of americans united for separation of church and state, and ken ham, president of answers in genesis usa, and the creation museum. mr. ham, do you see this park as part of a ministry, essentially a church or purely business? well, actually the ark encounter is a profit organization that is set up to give a particular view of biblical history. it s a park about biblical history centered around noah s ark. so it is going to be financed by a number of businessmen, as well as the ministry of answers in genesis is a member of the profit organization. mr. lynn, what about that? if it s a religious themed business, why should it be treated differently than any other business? it s a ministry, it really
ark encounter. they have an economic incentive program. and the state is not going to have viewpoint discrimination just because it s centered around biblical history. that is wrong. the truth of the matter, this park, whether it s partially private or partially for profit, it is promoting the one thing other groups, and that s a religious viewpoint. answers in genesis believes the earth is 6,000 years old. believes that dinosaurs and humans existed at the same time. only true in the flintstones. and also believes there were really unicorns. i don t think that the weight of the state of kentucky should be asking anyone directly or indirectly to subsidize these ideas. please don t ask everybody to help you pay for them. jeff, what are the core issues here? is this a freedom of expression? it s certainly a freedom of
the numbers alone tell the tale. this is a $150 million investment that is projected to create nearly 900 jobs, including almost 550 full-time jobs. all right, certainly a lot of jobs. local reports say there s about 123% unemployment in the area. here s what we know who is behind the theme park. a group called ark encounter llc is partnering with answers in genesis, which built the creation muz yum in petersburg, kentucky, with pages from the bible. we don t know who specifically is investing in the ark encounter project or how much it will get in tax incentives. state officials estimate the park could get $37 million after it opens and starts generating tourist revenue. there could be some incidental costs the taxpayers may have to indirectly pick up. the state s transportation department may have to widen exits off the interstate. to accommodate the project. but the main point of controversy is this how close
lynn, the founder of americans united for separation of church and state, and ken ham, president of answers in genesis usa, and the creation museum. mr. ham, do you see this park as part of a ministry, essentially a church or purely business? well, actually the ark encounter is a profit organization that is set up to give a particular view of biblical history. it s a park about biblical history centered around noah s ark. so it is going to be financed by a number of businessmen, as well as the ministry of answers in genesis is a member of the profit organization. mr. lynn, what about that? if it s a religious themed business, why should it be treated differently than any other business? it s a ministry, it really is. it s purpose is the website says to convince the world, including those of us in america, that there is a literal truth to the bible and that