KNOXVILLE, TN (Story courtesy of WVLT) – Sevier County officials have announced they will be requesting reimbursement for helping keep the Great Smoky Mountains National Park open during the 43-day government shutdown.
The shutdown ended on Nov. 12. Since Oct. 4, Sevier County, and other local and state partners worked together to help fund park operations and keep it open while during the shutdown.
“I want to express my gratitude to the leaders in Washington, D.C., for reaching an agreement that ends the federal government shutdown and allows Great Smoky Mountains National Park to fully reopen,” Sevier County Mayor Larry Waters said in a statement. “I am grateful for the strong cooperation between local, state and federal leaders that made the agreement to fund the national park possible. Their leadership and willingness to work together demonstrate what we can achieve when we put our communities first.”
Now, Sevier County officials are requesting a reimbursement from the federal government for that money. Tyler Basler with Sevier County says he hopes they will be reimbursed, but there is no guarantee that they will.
You can read Mayor Larry Waters’ full statement below:
“I want to express my gratitude to the leaders in Washington, D.C., for reaching an agreement that ends the federal government shutdown and allows Great Smoky Mountains National Park to fully reopen.
Since October 4, Sevier County has been proud to work alongside our state and local partners, including the Cities of Gatlinburg, Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, and Pittman Center, Blount County, Cocke County, the State of Tennessee, the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, Friends of the Smokies, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, and most recently, Smokies Life, to fund park operations during the federal government shutdown. This collaboration ensured that America’s most visited national park remained accessible and operational during one of the busiest times of the year.
I am grateful for the strong cooperation between local, state, and federal leaders that made the agreement to fund the national park possible. Their leadership and willingness to work together demonstrate what we can achieve when we put our communities first.”
