Mike Wynn

@MikeWynn_CJ

FRANKFORT – The group behind a proposed Noah's Ark theme park in Northern Kentucky is launching a billboard campaign to rebut critics who have raised concerns over tax incentives and religious discrimination.

Answers in Genesis announced Monday that it will run 16 billboards, including in Louisville, Lexington and Frankfort, directing people to the group's website for more information about the project.

It also has purchased a 15-second digital video display that starts Tuesday in New York City's Times Square.

The group says it wants to counter "myths" about the project's future hiring policies and use of tax dollars, which it said are being spread by the media and secular activists. It plans to continue the campaign into January.

"With this new billboard campaign, the attention-grabbing wording will get people to visit our website, where they will discover the truth about our full-size Ark and learn how some intolerant people are trying to keep it from succeeding," Ken Ham, president of Answers in Genesis, said in a press release.

The $73 million first phase of the Ark Encounter project is centered on building a 510-foot wooden ark in Grant County that promotes the biblical account of Noah.

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In July, the Kentucky Tourism Development Finance Authority gave preliminary approval for the park to participate in a state tax-incentive program. The deal would let the park keep 25 percent of the sales tax it collects for 10 years, amounting to more than $18 million.

But state tourism officials have cited fears that the project won't comply with state and federal law, and before giving final approval, they have asked for assurances that it will not discriminate on the basis of religion.

Gil Lawson, spokesman for the tourism cabinet, said Monday that the application remains pending and is not scheduled for discussion at any upcoming meetings.

The Washington-based Americans United for the Separation of Church and State says the group has made clear -- both on its website and in its dealings with that state -- that it wants to use religious discrimination in hiring at least some staff.

Alex Luchenitser, associate legal director for Americans United, argues that the law doesn't allow for-profit institutions to discriminate based on religion, even if they are religiously affiliated.

"To the extent that they argue that as a religious organization they are entitled to discriminate in hiring, that only underscores the point that we've been making -- that as a religious organization, they shouldn't be receiving any state subsidies of any kind," he said.

Answers in Genesis says some billboards will be located near newspaper offices in Louisville, Lexington and Frankfort, and that the display in Times Square will be stationed above the Disney Store. One billboard is already visible in Lexington.

Meanwhile, the group argues that the tax incentives only involve money from people who voluntarily visit the theme park. It also says that, while hiring policies are not finalized, Ark Encounter is allowed to give employment preferences based on religion under both state and federal law.

"These agitators -- most of them outside the state -- are trying to undermine the Ark Encounter by spreading misinformation and putting pressure on Kentucky officials," Ham said on Monday.

Answers in Genesis had received a final go-ahead from the finance authority in 2011 for its entire $172.5 million project. But, it withdrew the application amid financing troubles and returned this year seeking approval for only the first phase.

Reporter Mike Wynn can be reached at (502) 875-5136. Follow him on Twitter at @MikeWynn_CJ.