(Williamstown, KY)--Kentucky's Tourism Arts and Heritage Cabinet has suspended a tax break for Ark Encounter theme park. The cabinet said it was not notified that the park transferred the main property to an nonprofit affiliate, Crosswater Canyon.
A spokesman for park owner Answers in Genesis, Mark Looy, said the park did not believe the property transfer created a default. He added the group will comply with concerns over the transfer.
Under the tax agreement, the state would refund a portion of the sales tax collected at the park.
Critics maintained that the park wanted to go "non-profit" so that the city of Williamstown could not collect a "per-ticket" fee for providing safety services.
Answers in Genesis opened the Ark Encounter in July, 2016. The organization also operates the Creation Museum at Petersburg, KY.