Where to go. What to See. Things to Do.
The government shutdown of 2013 affected the number of visitors to National Parks across the United States. Almost 8 million fewer visitors traveled to the National Park because of course the parks were closed. Overall National Parks and the surrounding communities nationwide cost an estimated $414 millions in revenue as reported by the Interior Department that oversees the park system.
NC spend $15,000 to reopen the Great Smoky Mountains National Park during the government shutdown in October and a spokesman for the Governor says the state probably will not get that money back from the federal government. Tennessee spent $60,00 to reopen the park. Congress would have to pass legislation to repay all the states in the US that used their won money to reopen National Parks during the shutdown. This would be more than $3.5 million that would have to be repaid to the combined states.
With reports of more than $33 million being lost from tourism in North Carolina and Tennessee due to the closure of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, there is talk from officials from both states about what it would take to open the GSMNP. Other governors from across the US have funded the reopening of National Parks in there own states. The Department of Interior has stated that states can use their own funds to reopen parks. The cost of reopening the GSMNP would be split by NC and TC. Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam and NC Governor Pat McCrory are…
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About 50 couples planning to get married in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park have to make other arrangements thanks to the Government Shutdown that has closed down all National Parks. Weddings in October during the fall foliage season is very popular but about 50 couples that have wedding plans in the Great Smoky Mountains for this month may have to make other arrangements if the Government Shutdown continues.
Due to the Government Shutdown on October 1, the Blue Ridge Parkway is closed. Also the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is closed with all Visitors Centers closed. Entrances to the park are gated and locked. Campers in the park have 48 hours to leave. The GSMNP website is down with a statement that reads “Because of the federal government shutdown, all national parks are closed and National Park Service webpages are not operating. For more information, go to www.doi.gov.”
