GATLINBURG, Tenn. — State and local partners announced Friday a plan to keep the Great Smoky Mountains National Park open through the holidays despite the ongoing federal government shutdown.

But local leaders say they can’t afford to maintain full operations the way they did in October.

The state of Tennessee, Blount and Sevier counties, and several nonprofit groups spent about $1.8 million to keep the park fully operational for one month. Officials say that the level of spending isn’t feasible.

“This new funding package is different than the one in October,” said Dana Soehn, President and CEO of Friends of the Smokies. "Understandably, with a prolonged shutdown, the funding is simply less."

Beginning this week, the park will shift to a reduced funding model — $80,000 a week — compare

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