KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) - State and local agencies in Sevier, Blount and Cocke counties are working together to fund the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to keep it open during a federal government shutdown.

The partnership costs about $56,000 a day to keep everything fully open in the park during the shutdown, according to Jeff Muir, communications director for the Blount Partnership. The state and local agencies extended this funding to Nov. 2.

“It’s a huge opportunity to keep those businesses going and keep the economic vitality in this area going,” Muir said.

Tourism is the second-largest industry in Blount County, bringing in $610 million last year. Cocke County brought $71 million in tourism revenue as well.

Fall tourism drives people from out of state to East Tennessee, bring

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