A $783 million tourist destination might be coming to Boone County soon – but details about the attraction are scarce so far.
Liberty Forge Adventures plans to build a museum, hotel and other amenities in Boone County.
Development is expected to start in 2027 with a spring 2030 completion date, according to an Aug. 19 agenda from theKentucky Tourism Development Finance Authority.
The tourist attraction is expected to bring 900 full-time and 1,000 part-time jobs to the area when it's fully operational, the agenda states.
Here's what we know and don't know about the massive development.
Who's behind the project?
Liberty Forge Adventures, LLC, was created on May 26, according to the Kentucky Secretary of State website.
Brian Berger of Union is listed as the LLC's president.
Berger
didn't immediately respond to The Enquirer's requests for comment.
But according to hisLinkedIn profile, he's been the president of Reborn Studios for more than two decades. Reborn Studios is a "multidisciplinary project development and management company," its LinkedIn page states.
Where will it be located?
Liberty Forge Adventures, LLC, is based out of Union, Kentucky. But the Kentucky Tourism Development Finance Authority agenda links the project to nearby Walton.
Michael Schwartz, director/zoning administrator for theBoone County Planning Commission, confirmed nobody has filed paperwork or contacted the planning commission about the project as of Sept. 11.
But Boone County Judge/Executive Gary Moore told The Enquirer that Berger said he wants to be near the Creation Museum, Ark Encounter, Newport Aquarium, and other regional attractions.
"I love that they're considering Boone County (with) our conservative values," Moore said. "If the right due diligence is done, this could be a good fit."
What exactly will the attraction be?
Details about the project are scarce, aside from the fact that it will include a museum of some kind, hotels and other amenities.
But Moore confirmed, "It's not a Kings Island or a major waterpark. It's not that kind of amusement park."
He said Berger told him he aims to have a patriotic, "American liberty type" development that's family-oriented and uses a lot of green space.
Is the project getting a tax break?
The Kentucky Tourism Development Finance Authority approved a preliminary approval of a tax incentive for the project.
"By granting preliminary approval, the KTDFA would enable staff to engage the consultant to develop a proposal to estimate the net positive fiscal impact to the Commonwealth and the expected amount of incremental state revenues generated by the tourism development project," its agenda states.
But to qualify for the tax incentive, Liberty Forge Adventures would have to meet certain criteria, like attracting 25% of visitors from outside the state and being open for at least 100 days a year.
You can read the entirety of the agenda below:
Have a news tip? Comment? You can reach Northern Kentucky reporter Jolene Almendarez at jolenea@usatodayco.com or follow her on social media. Keep up with Northern Kentucky news at NKY.com or by downloading our NKY news app.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: What we know, don't know about Liberty Forge Adventures
