BY LISA MARCHESONI Senior Writer

Opponents of a Bible-theme park proposed in the Blackman community believe the project is a done deal.

But Jim Baker, chairman of the Rutherford County Industrial Development Board, said "nothing could be further from the truth." Developers of the proposed park have not asked for or applied for any incentives from the board.

Developers of Bible Park USA may ask for incentives now because the state Legislature passed a bill last week to allow all 95 counties to offer tax increment financing for entertainment venues.
Sponsor Armon Bar-Tur of SafeHarbor Holding LLC said the new financing bill would allow part of the property and sales tax to finance less than one-half of the $150 to $200 million project for Bible Park USA.

Bar-Tur proposes building the non-denominational, entertainment and educational off Blackman Road. About 50 acres will be used for the park. It will provide jobs for 500 to 1,000 seasonal employees and 200 to 300 fulltime jobs. The park will be open 210 days a year.

Baker said the new bill enables Rutherford County Commission to consider tax increment financing. If commissioners vote to consider the financing, the IDB will study the benefits.

Generally, the board will examine the types of jobs, wages and benefits, the amount of potential taxes revenue and how the project could help the county. If they decide it's a beneficial project to the county, the board may recommend the development not pay property taxes, delay paying property taxes or issue tax revenue bonds.

"We are looking for industries that raise the per capita income and living standards of this county," Baker said. "If an industry does not meet that test, we would normally not be interested in providing incentives to them."

Chairman Bill Jones of Destination Rutherford said the private-public partnership group considers higher wages a top priority in recruiting businesses.

Destination Rutherford seeks economic growth and educational opportunities with the vision of promoting a thriving business community.

"We use everything that is available to us," Jones said. "Our biggest tool is the great business climate in Rutherford County. Most recruitments are competitive situations."

Jones considers the tax increment financing will be another tool for recruiting economic development.
Baker said IDB determines if there is an overall benefit to the county before recommending incentives to the commission.

"At this time, I don't know enough about the particulars of the theme park and legislation to take a look at it to see if it's good or bad," Baker said.

Bar-Tur said he expected to have more information ready by the end of the summer.

Generally, Baker said he understands Bible Park USA developers may ask to use some of the projected taxes for road improvements and sewer that could be provided by the city of Murfreesboro. The county does not offer sewer service.

Consolidated Water could provide water services to the park while Middle Tennessee Electric Membership Corp. could provide electricity. Both Consolidated and MTEMC serve customers who live in the county outside Murfreesboro.

"There's mixed feelings on this," Baker said. "Obviously, there's never been a Bible theme park proposed in Rutherford County."

Lisa Marchesoni may be reached at 869-0814 or at lmarchesoni@murfreesboropost.com.