Changes

After the completion and success of the [[Creation Museum]], [[Ken Ham]] and AiG started focusing on building the Ark Encounter.<ref name="History">[https://answersingenesis.org/about/history/ History]. ''Answers in Genesis''. Retrieved August 5, 2016.</ref> The plans for constructing the Ark Encounter were announced by AiG, along with Kentucky Governor [[Steve Beshear]] on December 1, 2010.<ref name="History"/>

After the completion and success of the [[Creation Museum]], [[Ken Ham]] and AiG started focusing on building the Ark Encounter.<ref name="History">[https://answersingenesis.org/about/history/ History]. ''Answers in Genesis''. Retrieved August 5, 2016.</ref> The plans for constructing the Ark Encounter were announced by AiG, along with Kentucky Governor [[Steve Beshear]] on December 1, 2010.<ref name="History"/>

In January 2014, Ham announced that funding for the project had fallen short, and asked donors for $55 million.<ref>Chappatta, Brian (January 3, 2014). [http://www.kentucky.com/2014/01/03/3016554/noahs-ark-park-in-nky-risks-collapsing.html Planned Ark park in Northern Ky. faces collapse without more bond buyers]</ref> However, interest and support for the Ark Encounter returned and AiG was able to raise enough money so construction could begin in 2014, something said to be because of a high-profile debate between AiG president [[Ken Ham]] and science educator and evolutionist [[Bill Nye]],<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/28/creation-museum-kentucky-noahs-ark-museum-ken-ham |title= Creation Museum's $73m Noah's Ark park to begin construction in Kentucky |department= World news |newspaper= [[The Guardian]] |agency= [[Associated Press]] |date= 28 February 2014 |accessdate= 13 April 2014}}</ref> even though AiG has stated that this was not the case, as it was not reasonably possible to purchase a bond after the debate.<ref>Ham, Ken & Looy, Mark (August 22, 2016). [https://answersingenesis.org/ministry-news/ark-encounter/media-misinformation-continues-ark/ Media Misinformation Continues with the Ark]. ''Answers in Genesis''. Retrieved August 22, 2016.</ref>  

In January 2014, Ham announced that funding for the project had fallen short, and asked donors for $55 million.<ref>Chappatta, Brian (January 3, 2014). [http://www.kentucky.com/2014/01/03/3016554/noahs-ark-park-in-nky-risks-collapsing.html Planned Ark park in Northern Ky. faces collapse without more bond buyers]</ref> However, interest and support for the Ark Encounter returned and AiG was able to raise enough money so construction could begin in 2014, something said by the [[mainstream media]] to be because of a high-profile debate between AiG president [[Ken Ham]] and science educator and evolutionist [[Bill Nye]],<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/28/creation-museum-kentucky-noahs-ark-museum-ken-ham |title= Creation Museum's $73m Noah's Ark park to begin construction in Kentucky |department= World news |newspaper= [[The Guardian]] |agency= [[Associated Press]] |date= 28 February 2014 |accessdate= 13 April 2014}}</ref> even though AiG has stated that this was not the case, as it was not reasonably possible to purchase a bond after the debate.<ref>Ham, Ken & Looy, Mark (August 22, 2016). [https://answersingenesis.org/ministry-news/ark-encounter/media-misinformation-continues-ark/ Media Misinformation Continues with the Ark]. ''Answers in Genesis''. Retrieved August 22, 2016.</ref>  

During the construction of the Ark Encounter, AiG sued the state of Kentucky after officials blocked AiG from receiving a sales tax tourism incentive worth up to $18 million because AiG would use the Ark Encounter to share the gospel. On January 25, 2016, Federal Judge Gregory Van Tatenhove ruled in AiG's favor, ruling that blocking the incentives from AiG was unconstitutional and violated their [[First Amendment]] protections.<ref>Lovan, Dylan (January 25, 2016). [http://www.wcpo.com/news/local-news/grant-county/ark-encounter-builder-wins-legal-battle-over-tax-incentives Ark Encounter builder wins legal battle over tax incentive]. ''WCPO.com'' Retrieved August 5, 2016.</ref><ref>Caproni, Erin (January 26, 2016). [http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/morning_call/2016/01/judge-rules-on-ark-encounter-incentives.html Judge rules on Ark Encounter incentives]. ''Cincinatti Business Courier''. Retrieved August 5, 2016.</ref><ref>[https://answersingenesis.org/religious-freedom/victory-ark-encounter-federal-court/ Victory for AiG/Ark Encounter in Federal Court]. ''Answers in Genesis''. January 25, 2016. Retrieved August 5, 2016.</ref>

During the construction of the Ark Encounter, AiG sued the state of Kentucky after officials blocked AiG from receiving a sales tax tourism incentive worth up to $18 million because AiG would use the Ark Encounter to share the gospel. On January 25, 2016, Federal Judge Gregory Van Tatenhove ruled in AiG's favor, ruling that blocking the incentives from AiG was unconstitutional and violated their [[First Amendment]] protections.<ref>Lovan, Dylan (January 25, 2016). [http://www.wcpo.com/news/local-news/grant-county/ark-encounter-builder-wins-legal-battle-over-tax-incentives Ark Encounter builder wins legal battle over tax incentive]. ''WCPO.com'' Retrieved August 5, 2016.</ref><ref>Caproni, Erin (January 26, 2016). [http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/morning_call/2016/01/judge-rules-on-ark-encounter-incentives.html Judge rules on Ark Encounter incentives]. ''Cincinatti Business Courier''. Retrieved August 5, 2016.</ref><ref>[https://answersingenesis.org/religious-freedom/victory-ark-encounter-federal-court/ Victory for AiG/Ark Encounter in Federal Court]. ''Answers in Genesis''. January 25, 2016. Retrieved August 5, 2016.</ref>