MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (AP) -- A lawmaker has asked the state attorney general whether it's appropriate for Rutherford County officials to authorize tax breaks for a proposed Bible theme park.
Rep. Donna Rowland, a Murfreesboro Republican, wants to know if the county can legally authorize tax-increment financing for religious businesses.
Developers have argued Bible Park USA is not a religious park, and want the county to forgo about $27.9 million in property taxes to pay for bonds taken out to build the park.
Based on the developers' projections, the county would receive $122 million in sales and property tax revenue during that 22-year agreement.
Zoning and financing for the 282-acre project is expected to be decided by Rutherford County commissioners next month.
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Information from: The Daily News Journal, http://www.dnj.com
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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