Answers in The Flintstones

We recently discussed Govenor Steve Beshear (D-KY) and his support, and $37.5 million in tax breaks, for a theme park devoted to a recreation of Noah’s Ark called Ark Encounter, here. Who owns Ark Encounter? A private LLC whose membership includes a subsidiary of Answers in Genesis, whose CEO is Ken Ham.
The Governor’s office issued a press release:

A feasibility study by the renowned America’s Research Group has indicated that the Ark Encounter may attract 1.6 million visitors in the first year and is expected to employ up to 900 full and part-time staff.

That’s a lot of visitors, a lot of occupied hotel rooms, a lot of restaurant meals, a lot of local purchases, and a lot of sales taxes. Sounds too good to be true? It is.

Just what is this “renowned America’s Research Group?” From their website:

America’s Research Group is a full service consumer behavior survey research company. Utilizing both quantitative and qualitative research, America’s Research Group has virtually reinvented the research arena with our distinctive, personalized services, encyclopedic reference of consumer demographics, annual client conferences, and extensive interview database.

Sounds impressive. However, America’s Research Group is run by C. Britt Beemer (left). Beemer is also a personal friend  of Ken Ham and coauthor, with Ken Ham, of Already Gone: Why your kids will quit church and what you can do to stop it. Has anyone at the Governor’s office heard of due diligence? How about Google?

There’s much more coming and I’ll keep you up to date.

H/T: Barefoot and Progressive.

-David Drumm (Nal)